AT&T, Verizon and Tillman
Infrastructure said they’ve reached a deal to build “hundreds” of cell
towers, in an arrangement the parties say is more cost-effective than
traditional tower lease deals.
Tension over traditional tower lease
arrangements has popped up in the past year during earnings calls and
other finance discussions with both towercos and the major carriers. In
Monday’s announcement, AT&T SVP Susan Johnson said, “We need more
alternatives to the traditional tower leasing model with the large
incumbents,” saying the current model “is not cost-effective or
sustainable.” Verizon Chief Network Officer
said the carrier is reviewing all of its long-term contracts as they
come up for renewal “and we are excited to develop new vendor partners
to diversify our infrastructure providers.”
Tillman owns and operates macro
towers, small cells and smart cities infrastructure; it will build these
towers to suit. AT&T and Verizon will lease the towers that will be
co-located and co-anchored by the two carriers. Construction is slated
to begin in the first quarter of 2018.
The carriers confirmed to Inside Towers the
deal is for macro towers only. Verizon said this is the first agreement
of its kind with another large carrier and tower company in its
history. AT&T told Inside Towers: “All of our desired site locations are being considered” with the Tillman agreement. Continue Reading
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