BTS antenna owners are now entering the third wave of telecommunications with the presence of Telecom Infrastructure Partners. This change has come about through investment opportunities based on a long-term BTS antenna lease agreement.

Modern society has always seemed somewhat obsessed with technology. However, no device has had such a profound impact on the world as the mobile phone and the emerging technologies of information transfer.

Today, the average person uses their phone an incredible 2,617 times a day. More people in the world have access to a mobile phone than to a toilet. In an average year, we spend just under 800 hours on our mobile phones (that’s over a whole month!). With these numbers growing, it’s no wonder the last ten years have been dubbed the ‘decade of the smartphone’.

The development of mobile phones was possible thanks to the parallel progress of mobile technologies and telecommunications infrastructure. In the early 1980s, the first analog networks, such as NMT and AMPS, made it possible to make phone calls while on the move. In the 1990s, GSM technology was introduced, which revolutionized mobile communication, offering not only calls but also the ability to send text messages (SMS). The following decades brought 3G, 4G, and now 5G technologies, which enabled the use of high-speed mobile internet, video streaming, and the development of applications and services on an unprecedented scale.

Once upon a time, cell phones were used solely for calling other people on the go. Then came the ability to send text messages to other cell phones. Today, cell phones can do literally anything. From paying for meals to monitoring sleep habits, today’s smartphones have almost no limits.

That’s not the only thing that’s changed since the first cell phone went on sale. Think the iPhone is expensive? Well, the first cell phones cost a whopping $4,000 each! The increase in demand for cell phones has led to rapid advances in technology, which has led to falling prices (until the last few years, when prices have skyrocketed again).

The role of telecommunications infrastructure, which had to keep up with the growing demands of users, cannot be forgotten. Mobile network operators invested billions of dollars in the development and modernization of infrastructure, building new telecommunications towers, developing fiber-optic networks and implementing modern data transmission technologies. As a result, modern mobile networks are able to handle billions of devices simultaneously, while ensuring high quality of service. The first public call from a mobile phone took place ten years before any such device was introduced to the market. Martin Cooper, a senior engineer at Motorola, made history by calling a competing telecommunications company and informing it that he was talking on a mobile phone. For this purpose, he used a prototype of the DynaTAC model – the first handheld mobile phone, which went on sale a decade later.

It is worth noting that cell phones technically existed before that. Their development dates back to 1908, when a patent for a “cordless telephone” was issued in Kentucky. However, those devices were more similar to two-way radios than to modern cell phones.

The tech world today may focus on headphone jacks and wireless charging, but cell phones used to be much simpler. Even in their early days, they were considered cutting-edge devices with vast capabilities that allowed more people to connect than ever before.

In the 90s and 2000s, Nokia dominated the mobile phone market. Each device from this manufacturer perfectly suited the tastes of consumers. Already in 1987, the Nokia Mobira Talkman appeared in the film “Lethal Weapon”, becoming a symbol of modern technology of that time.

So let’s start our journey through telecommunications knowledge with some nostalgic information for some, i.e. the now iconic devices that started it all:

Mobira (Nokia) Senator [1982]   The first true consumer mobile phone, weighing 10 kg, used the NMT (1G) network.

Motorola DynaTAC 8000X [1983]   The first portable cell phone, weighing over a kilogram, with a 30-minute battery.

Nokia 1011 [1992]   The first GSM phone, weighing less than 500 g, with a monochrome LCD screen and a retractable antenna.

IBM Simon [1994]   First touchscreen smartphone with applications, sold 50,000 units in six months.

Nokia 9000 Communicator [1996]   The first phone with a full QWERTY keyboard, capable of sending e-mails and faxes.

Motorola StarTAC [1996]   The first clamshell phone, weighing 88 g, advertised as a luxury product.

Nokia 8110 [1996]   A slider phone, known as a “banana”, with a curved profile and a keypad cover.

Siemens S10 [1997]   The first telephone with a full colour screen, displaying up to six lines of information in four colours.

RIM (BlackBerry) 850 [1999]   The first BlackBerry with a QWERTY keyboard and the ability to send emails.

Nokia 7110 [1999]   Slider phone with WAP browser and ability to download custom ringtones.

Sharp J-SH04 [2000]   First phone with a built-in digital camera (0.11 MP), available only in Japan.

Nokia 3310 [2000]   Iconic model with long battery life, custom ringtones and Snake II game.

Nokia 1100 [2003]   The best-selling phone of all time (250 million units), targeted at developing countries.

BlackBerry (RIM) 6210 [2003]   The first BlackBerry with telephony features and the popular BBM.

Motorola Razr V3 [2004]   Motorola’s most popular model, with a thin design and 3G connectivity.

Sony Ericsson Walkman W800 [2005]   The first Walkman-branded phone with music functions and 3G connectivity.

Nokia N95 [2007]   Smartphone with 5 MP camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and video recording.

iPhone [2007]   Apple’s first iPhone, with a revolutionary touchscreen and App Store.

HTC (T-Mobile) Dream G1 [2008]   The first Android phone with a QWERTY keyboard and touch screen.

iPhone 3G [2008]   The second iPhone with 3G support and the App Store.

BlackBerry Curve 8520 [2009]   Popular consumer-focused model with BBM, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Samsung Galaxy S [2010]   The first Galaxy S model, with an AMOLED screen, 16 GB of memory and a 5 MP camera.

Samsung Galaxy Note N7000 [2011]   Samsung’s first “phablet” with a 5.3-inch screen.

iPhone 5 [2012]   Popular model with Retina display, Lightning connector and LTE connectivity.

Samsung Galaxy S3 [2012]   The first “big” Android phone with wireless charging support and 4G connectivity.

iPhone 5C [2013]   A cheaper version of the iPhone 5, with colorful cases.

iPhone 5S [2013]   Model with fingerprint reader and A7 processor.

Nokia Lumia 1020 [2013]   A 41 MP camera phone running Windows Phone 8.

iPhone 6 Plus [2014]   Apple’s first “phablet”, with a 5.5-inch screen and thinner casing.

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge [2015]   A phone with a curved edge-to-edge screen and wireless charging.

Google (Huawei) Nexus 6P [2015]   A phone with a 12.3 MP camera and an aluminum body, running on Android 6.0.

Google Pixel [2016]   Google’s flagship phone with a high-quality camera and Android operating system.

Samsung Galaxy S8+ [2017]   Model with full-screen “Infinity” display and fingerprint, iris and face scanners.

iPhone X [2017]   The first iPhone with a full-screen display and Face ID.

OnePlus 6T [2018]   Model with in-screen fingerprint sensor, AMOLED display and Snapdragon 845 processor.

Base station , also known as BTS (Base Transceiver Station), is a key device in wireless communication systems such as GSM. Equipped with an electromagnetic wave antenna, often placed on a tall mast, the base station enables communication between mobile terminals (such as mobile phones or pagers) and the fixed part of the digital telecommunications network.

GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications, originally Groupe Spécial Mobile) is the most popular mobile telephony standard in the world. Networks based on this system offer services related to the transmission of voice, data (including Internet access), and messages in text or multimedia form.

One of the key advantages of GSM is the possibility of international roaming, thanks to which the subscriber can use the phone in most countries of the world without the need to sign separate contracts with each operator. Currently, services based on GSM technology are provided by over 700 operators in over 200 countries and dependent territories.

GSM services can be provided on a subscription or prepaid basis, which increases the number of potential users.

The history of the development of the GSM standard began with a European initiative to create a single mobile telephony standard for the 12 EEC members. In 1982, the Groupe Spécial Mobile (GSM) was established within CEPT to develop the 900 MHz standard, and in 1984 the European Commission approved the project. The first GSM 900 Phase 1 specification was published in 1988, and in 1989 ETSI took over the work on the standard.

The Phase I specifications were finalized in 1990, allowing for the start of equipment production and network construction. In the same year, work began on the Phase II specifications, covering the GSM 1800 MHz (DCS) standard and SMS, fax and data transmission. The first call using this standard was made in 1991 on the Finnish Radiolinja network, and commercial services began a year later.

The Phase 2 specifications were completed in 1995. ETSI continued to develop the standard as Phase 2+, adding High Speed ​​Circuit Switched Data and CAMEL technologies. In 1997, GPRS was added and work on EDGE began, with Release 96, 97 and 98 published. With different versions of the system adapted to the frequency ranges available on different continents, GSM became a global standard. In December 1998, 3GPP was formed, harmonizing the work on UMTS. ETSI transferred its work on GSM to 3GPP, which develops the UMTS and GSM specifications.

In 2010, GSM dominated as the most popular mobile phone system in the world, handling 78% of calls. Despite the development of new technologies, operators continue to modernize GSM networks to meet the growing demands of users, integrating them with UMTS and LTE systems. Leading GSM operators include China Mobile, Vodafone and Telefónica, while infrastructure providers include Ericsson, Huawei, ZTE and Nokia Networks. In Poland, the GSM network was established in 1995, and services were launched in 1996. Currently, the four main operators are T-Mobile, Plus, Orange and Play.

The GSM system offers a variety of services, including voice calls, data transmission, and text (SMS) and multimedia (MMS) messages. GSM also provides various security services, such as subscriber authenticity and confidentiality of voice and data transmission. GSM standards come in several main versions, differing in radio band and cell size: GSM 400, GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800 and GSM 1900. In Europe and other regions of the world, GSM 900/1800 dominates, while in the Americas, GSM 850 and GSM 1900 are mainly used. GSM is not only the foundation of modern mobile telephony, but also a technology that continues to evolve and adapt to new needs and challenges in the telecommunications market.

A single base station can cover one or more cells of a telecommunications network. The user’s terminal uses the base station from which the signal is the strongest at a given moment. If necessary, an automatic change of station occurs, called handover, i.e. switching the radio connection to another base station.

The range of a cell (i.e. the area where one base station operates) in the GSM network is a maximum of about 35 km. However, for higher frequencies (1800/1900 MHz) the range is smaller and is about 8 km. The range can be increased to 120 km, but at the cost of reducing the number of calls that can be handled simultaneously. Such solutions are used in large, sparsely populated areas, especially with the use of GSM 400 technology, which requires less energy to transmit over long distances. Similar solutions are available for GSM 900.

Radio transmission in GSM takes place in narrow bands of 200 kHz width, which are divided into pairs – one band is used to transmit from the base station to the phone (downlink), and the other in the opposite direction (uplink). Within one band, many users use time slots assigned to them alternately, which last 577 microseconds. Each time slot is assigned to one user, which prevents interference.

When a phone starts a conversation, the Base Station Controller allocates a time slot to it. The phone uses this slot until the end of the conversation. A maximum of 8 conversations can be carried out simultaneously on one frequency (in full quality) or up to 16 conversations (in reduced quality). In the case of data transfer (GPRS/EDGE), the phone can receive more time slots, which are dynamically allocated during data transfer.

When traffic is high, the operator may use more than one pair of 200 kHz frequencies. Due to interference, the frequencies in neighboring cells must be different. In practice, one to four pairs of frequencies are usually used in one cell. In each cell, one time slot is allocated to the information channel (BCCH) and one or two to the control channel (SDCCH).

Access to the GSM network is provided by base stations (BTS), which consist of TRX modules assigned to sectors. A typical base station has three sectors, which allows for signal coverage of the area around the station. Several dozen or several hundred base stations are connected to the Base Station Controller (BSC), which manages the allocation of frequencies and time slots for phones. In further sections, e.g. to the central office, the signal from the BTS can be transmitted using optical fibers or radio links.

• Fiber optics is a modern technology for transmitting data using light waves, reaching speeds of up to several terabits per second. Unlike copper cables, fiber optics are resistant to electromagnetic interference and weather conditions, which ensures a stable connection. FTTH (Fiber To The Home) delivers the Internet directly to homes and businesses. In Poland, the fiber optic network is developing dynamically, increasing the availability of fast Internet. Fiber optics consists of a thin glass core that conducts light, surrounded by a polymer jacket and a Kevlar layer. It works on the principle of total internal reflection, which allows for data transmission without loss of quality. Fiber optics are used in telecommunications, medicine, defense and television, and in households they provide fast and stable Internet, crucial for online gamers and people working remotely.
• Radiolink is a wireless system that uses radio waves to transmit analog or digital signals on a point-to-point basis. It can offer bandwidth from a few Mbit/s to several Gbit/s depending on the frequency (7 GHz to 66 GHz). Installation is faster and cheaper than fiber optics, often taking only 2-3 months. Radiolinks are flexible and can operate on different frequencies, although higher frequencies have a shorter range and are susceptible to weather interference. They are a good alternative to fiber optics where their installation is difficult or impossible, but they offer lower connection quality and reliability. The choice between radiolink and fiber optics depends on the specific needs and available resources.

What is a BTS antenna?

A metal structure that captures and/or transmits electromagnetic radio waves. Antennas come in many shapes and sizes. Here are the types of antennas used in GSM systems:

Directional antennas are designed to focus a signal in a specific direction, increasing the signal strength and range in that direction while reducing it in others. They are ideal for long-distance communication between two points.

Omnidirectional antennas radiate signals evenly in all directions in the horizontal plane, making them ideal for wide coverage over a local area. They are commonly used in situations where a signal must be transmitted in multiple directions simultaneously.

Sector antennas are a type of directional antenna designed to cover a specific sector of a circle, usually between 60 and 120 degrees. They are often used in cellular and Wi-Fi networks to provide coverage of a large area using multiple sector antennas.

Characteristic	Directional antennas	Omnidirectional antennas	Sector antennas
Coverage	Focused in a specific direction	360 degrees horizontally	Specific sector (e.g. 60-120 degrees)
Reception	High range in the desired direction	Moderate range	Moderate to high sector coverage
Noise	Less interference from other directions	Susceptible to interference from all directions	Reduced interference by limiting coverage to a sector
Usage	Long distance communication, point-to-point links	Local networks, mobile devices	Cellular networks, Wi-Fi networks, multi-sector coverage
Complexity of installation	Requires precise setting	Simple, no setup required	Requires setup and multiple antennas for full coverage

Each antenna type serves different purposes, depending on the specific requirements for signal coverage, range and interference management.

What is a microwave antenna?

• An antenna in the shape of a dish, often called a parabolic antenna or dish antenna.
• Enables point-to-point communication with other towers/locations
• The microwave antenna represents one connection – the number of dish antennas is therefore an indicator of how many different wireless connections the base station has

Base stations are an essential element of wireless communication systems, enabling smooth and stable connections between users and the telecommunications network. Thanks to a variety of technologies and designs, they can be installed in various environments, ensuring high quality telecommunications services.

BTSs are highly specialized devices with antennas that enable wireless communication, connecting mobile phones to the digital telecommunications network. Their presence is crucial for using the Internet, remote work, online entertainment and other network services.

In short, there are different types of BTSs, such as megacells, macrocells, and microcells, which differ in their range and application. The next generation of 5G networks will introduce smaller stations, such as pico and femtocells, which will be less visible in the landscape.

BTSs are usually placed in rooms, such as telecommunications containers, or in special cabinets that allow the stations to be mounted directly on the roofs of buildings. Typical base station equipment includes:

• Batteries for emergency power supply.
• Rectifier for charging the battery and powering the station with 48 V.
• Efficient air conditioning, heater, emergency fan.
• Central alarm for transmitting alarms to the network operation and maintenance centre.
• Radio link and radio devices handling user-generated traffic.
• Antennas connected to the station via low-loss coaxial cables.

Base stations can be installed in various types of containers (concrete, laminate, steel) or external cabinets. Each type of container has appropriate protection against natural factors and access by unauthorized persons. They are equipped with electrical installations, air conditioning, ventilation and alarm systems.

Types of Antennas in Base Stations

Most installations use directional antennas that cover an area of ​​120° with a signal. Three such antennas allow for coverage of the entire area around the base station. In first-generation systems, omnidirectional antennas were popular, but they are currently used mainly in second- and third-generation micro- and pico-cells. Modern installations increasingly use adaptive antennas that automatically change the direction of maximum radiation. Base stations can be mounted on various types of masts.

Masts in Base Stations are a vertical structure on a piece of land, we distinguish:

• Single pole mast / single support pole / prestressed concrete

Height range from 15 to 50 meters. Mast segments are connected by steel rings. The mast is equipped with a lightning protection system and optional obstruction lighting.

A single pole mast, also known as a single support pole, is a vertical structure consisting of a single pole. It is used to mount antennas, lights, or other devices at great heights. This type of mast is self-supporting, meaning that it does not require additional guy lines to maintain stability. Single pole masts are often used in telecommunications, radio and television broadcasting, and as lighting poles. They are more compact and require less space than guy masts, but their height is usually limited compared to guy structures.

• Lattice mast/tower

The lattice mast, made of steel, has a height of 15 to 60 meters. This structure is mounted on reinforced concrete foundations, and a communication ladder is mounted on one surface of the mast. The mast is equipped with a lightning protection system and optionally with lighting.

• Guy mast/tower

A guy mast is a tall, vertical structure that is supported by guy wires (tensioned cables) attached to the ground or other structures. These masts are commonly used for telecommunications, broadcasting, and other applications requiring tall antennas. The guy wires provide stability, allowing the mast to reach much greater heights than a freestanding structure. This design is efficient and economical for reaching great heights, but requires a significant amount of land around the base to anchor the guy wires.

Who owns the equipment on the tower?

The tower is typically built and owned by a mobile network operator (MNO) or tower management company.

• There is always at least one Mobile Network Operator (MNO) on the tower that uses transceiver equipment.
• Often, 2, 3 or 4 mobile network operators and other electronic communications operators have their antennas on one tower, which increases the efficiency and range of transmission.
• If the antennas have 4 separate cellular networks, it means that the infrastructure is shared by several operators.

In general, towers with multiple operators owning equipment are more cost-effective and economically stable, and therefore more likely to be maintained and upgraded than towers used by a single operator.

Standard Rooftop Locations

• The existing building provides the “height.” The height required for antennas and other equipment is achieved by the existing structure of the building.
• Common in urban areas. Such locations are widespread in cities where space for individual towers is limited.
• The same types of antennas, satellite dishes, radio equipment, power cables, etc. The same types of antennas, satellite dishes, radio equipment, power cables, and other components are used as on traditional towers.

Using other existing structures

MNO needs height to provide optimal coverage, for this purpose chimneys, water towers, poles, grain silos, etc… are used.

Base Stations Inside Buildings

In places with high call density, such as shopping malls, hotels or airports, picocells are used. Ceiling or wall antennas are installed, which improve the quality of calls inside buildings. These antennas operate in the GSM, DCS and UMTS bands, and their power is much lower than external antennas.

Small Cells/Micro Cells, extra coverage in crowded areas:

• External: main shopping streets, outside stadiums/venues.
• Internal: airports, shopping malls, stadiums, conference centers.

What is a Distributed Antenna System (DAS)?

Distributed Antenna System (DAS) is a technology in which a single signal source is connected to a group of antennas distributed throughout a building. DAS is used to provide better cellular coverage in densely populated areas such as offices, shopping malls, and stadiums.

How does DAS work?

DAS distributes the wireless signal in hard-to-reach areas by using several smaller antennas instead of one large one. This distributes the signal evenly, eliminating range and interference issues that can occur with a single antenna. DAS helps overcome barriers such as thick walls and a large number of users.

Types of DAS

1. Off-air DAS : Uses an external antenna to receive the signal from a cell tower and retransmits it through smaller antennas inside the building. This is a fast, low-cost solution, ideal for areas with good outdoor coverage.
2. Small-cell DAS : Generates its own signal using small cells connected to the internet network. This is a more complex and expensive solution, but works well in places without cellular coverage.
3. BTS DAS : An entire base station deployed within a building, used in very high-traffic areas such as stadiums.

Signal distribution modes

1. Passive DAS : Uses passive components, such as coaxial cables, to transmit the signal. This is a cheap solution, but less efficient over long distances.
2. Active DAS : Converts a radio signal to another type of signal (e.g. fiber optic) and back to a radio signal. This is more expensive but more efficient over long distances.
3. Digital DAS : Converts radio signals into digital packets, allowing integration with existing data networks.
4. Hybrid DAS : Combines the features of active and passive DAS, offering a compromise between performance and cost.

DAS is a key technology that provides stable cellular coverage in large, enclosed spaces, which is essential in today’s globalized world.

Why are Stealth Sites used?

In today’s globalized world, where wireless communication is a key part of everyday life, the need to build telecommunications infrastructure is becoming increasingly important. With the growing demand for reliable cellular coverage, there is also a need to minimize the visual impact of this infrastructure on the environment. Stealth Sites are the answer to these challenges, offering solutions that allow the integration of antennas and masts in such a way that they are virtually invisible to the surroundings. This allows for maintaining the aesthetics of the landscape and meeting urban planning requirements, while ensuring full functionality of the cellular network. We will look at the places where stealth antennas are used, as well as different techniques and examples of their use.

We will find more base stations where there is greater demand for networks.

Cellular networks are the backbone of modern wireless communications, enabling the use of mobile telephony, mobile internet, and other data services. To ensure reliable coverage and high quality of service, mobile network operators must adapt their infrastructure to the changing needs of users.

One of the key aspects of managing a mobile network is “capacity,” or the ability of the network to handle a large number of calls and transfer large amounts of data simultaneously. In cities, in areas with high population density, or where large events take place (such as stadiums, shopping malls, and office areas), the demand for network services is growing rapidly. To meet this demand, operators must install more base stations.

More base stations in high-demand areas help to:

1. Improving network coverage : More base stations mean better coverage and fewer dead zones, which is crucial for ensuring reliable communications.
2. Increasing network capacity : More base stations allow for more users to be served simultaneously, which reduces the risk of network congestion and reduced service quality.
3. Optimized bandwidth utilization : Base stations can manage network traffic more efficiently, allowing for better utilization of available resources.

Adapting the mobile network infrastructure to changing user demand is key to ensuring high quality of service. Installing more base stations where demand is greatest is essential to improving coverage, increasing capacity and optimizing network performance. Solutions such as DAS (Distributed Antenna System) and camouflaged base stations (Stealth Sites) help achieve these goals while minimizing impact on the surroundings and landscape aesthetics.

Division of ownership of individual base station components.

Tower Structure BTS towers are typically built by telecommunications infrastructure operators. These steel structures can support 4-5 tenants at a time, allowing for efficient use of space and cost reduction. Tower operators ensure the stability and safety of the structure by ensuring regular technical inspections and maintenance.

Plot The plot of land on which the tower is located may be owned by the infrastructure operator or managed on the basis of a long-term lease. Operators take care of the legal formalities related to land use, which allows for safe and legal use of the area.

Generators In some locations, infrastructure operators provide generators that provide a source of emergency power. These generators are necessary to maintain the continuity of the BTS station in the event of a power grid failure. Operators ensure that these devices are regularly serviced and inspected to ensure their reliability in crisis situations.

Antenna Equipment Tenants, i.e. mobile network operators, are the owners of the antenna equipment, including transmitting and receiving antennas and microwave equipment. This equipment is crucial for the implementation of data and voice transmission. Tenants are responsible for the installation, maintenance and modernization of their equipment, which allows them to adapt to the growing needs of users.

Tenant Shelters Tenants also own shelters (e.g., containers or buildings) where base stations and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems are stored. These shelters provide appropriate environmental conditions for equipment, protecting it from extreme temperatures, moisture, and other adverse factors. Tenants are responsible for managing and maintaining these structures to ensure optimal operating conditions for their equipment.

Coaxial Cable Tenants also own the coaxial cables that connect the antennas to the base station equipment. These cables must be properly managed and maintained to ensure minimal signal loss and reliable transmission.

The division of ownership in BTS stations is crucial for the effective management and maintenance of telecommunications infrastructure. Infrastructure operators are responsible for towers, plots and generators, while tenants manage their antenna equipment, shelters and coaxial cables. This model of cooperation allows for the efficient use of resources and ensures the continuity of telecommunications networks.

While base stations are essential, some people are concerned about their health effects. The article: “ What are 5G waves doing to your brain? ” dispels these fears, explaining that the construction of new towers is subject to strict regulations and controls, and the electromagnetic radiation emitted by BTSs is closely monitored. Additionally, living near base stations is not harmful and can actually improve the signal quality and reduce the energy emissions of devices.

In summary, BTSs are an essential part of the wireless infrastructure, essential for the functioning of modern devices and services. Their presence is necessary for the further development and implementation of new technologies.

Sources:

• The evolution of mobile phones
• Nokia returns to movies
• Base station – Wikipedia
• GSM Standard
• Dr. Wszołek: There will be more 5G base stations, but they will send the signal more precisely
• What is optical fiber, how does it work and how is it constructed?
• Radio line, what is it?
• What are BTS base stations and what do we owe them?