The nation’s largest wireless carriers on Monday announced a joint agreement with developer Tillman Infrastructure to build hundreds of new cell towers.
Under the agreement, Tillman will build co-located towers to suit Verizon and AT&T, who will lease and co-anchor the sites.
The companies said that the towers would bolster wireless infrastructure, including in areas where towers currently do not exist, and give carriers opportunities to relocate their equipment.
Construction on the first towers will begin early next year and equipment installations will start as they are completed. The agreement could also add “significantly more” sites in coming years.
Verizon officials said that the company is developing new partnerships as it reviews its long-term contracts, while AT&T added that the “traditional tower-leasing model” is neither cost-effective nor sustainable.
“We’re creating a diverse community of suppliers and tower companies who will help increase market competition while reducing our overhead,” said Susan Johnson, AT&T global supply chain senior vice president, in a statement. “We look forward to working with Verizon as we establish site locations and sign new lease agreements with additional suppliers in the coming years.”
Filed Under: Infrastructure