PhilTower Consortium Inc., a leading digital shared infrastructure provider, embarked on an ambitious project in September 2022 to digitize 1,350 cell towers. These towers were recently acquired from a major telecom company within the country. To accomplish this, PhilTower formed strategic partnerships with SiteSee and QNSI.
The primary objectives of this partnership were to optimize PhilTower's infrastructure, uncover new revenue opportunities, and bolster asset management practices. SiteSee's digital twin platform and QNSI's field surveys and audit tools were expected to streamline these processes and replace traditional engineering inspections.
The digitisation process began in December 2022. QNSI utilized drone-based surveys, which were integrated into comprehensive site audit services. SiteSee then processed the drone images into precise 3D models, applying AI algorithms to create a digital twin of each cell site. This advanced technology was swiftly integrated into PhilTower's workflows, thanks to the partnership with SiteSee as the technology principal and QNSI as the local project management and service provider.
The deployment of drones and AI in the audit process led to substantial operational efficiency. The technology facilitated accurate asset registers, reduced audit time, accelerated loading analysis, and streamlined the co-location process and deployment. According to Devid Gubiani, the CEO of PhilTower, "Digital transformation is revolutionising our industry, and I am proud that PhilTower has taken the lead." He emphasized how this digitalization brought transparency and expedited transactions for their customers. P T Pawar, Chief Operations Officer of PhilTower, highlighted the practical benefits. "The drone audit resulted in operational efficiency...We also anticipate the potential saving in future tower preventive maintenance costs," he shared.
This initiative demonstrated the power of digital transformation in the telecom industry, particularly for asset management and operational efficiency. Furthermore, it underscored the importance of partnerships in driving technology adoption. Matti Jokinen, Director of QNSI, spoke to this, saying, "Deploying drones as part of our services was new to us, but from the onset, the advantages were clear." He pointed out how quickly his team adapted to the new technology, and how it increased their efficiency and safety. David Pash, Director of SiteSee, expressed his pleasure with the partnership and its results. His company's digital platform, tailored specifically for the global TowerCo industry, was a perfect fit for this initiative. The success of this project signifies a significant step towards the digitalisation and modernisation of PhilTower's assets. It sets the stage for more efficient, cost-effective, and safe practices within the telecom industry and beyond.
