There are hundreds of thousands of cell sites transmitting right now across the United States, collectively soaking up millions of kilowatt hours of electricity as they connect the data traffic of 310 million smartphones[1]. How do the carriers supply the electricity for these cell sites and keep track of this usage so they can reimburse their landlords? Buddy Wachsmuth, VP Business Development, Power Design & Supply Group (PD&SG) says traditional utility metering can cost carriers unnecessary time and money.
PD&SG provides remote submetering solutions to carriers, tower owners, rooftop site managers and turf vendors. In scenarios where a wireless carrier needs to tap power from the property on which it’s located, whether a tower or rooftop, the carrier can install a smart submeter. PD&SG remotely reads the smart meters on the carriers’ behalf and provides corresponding monthly billing services. The carriers use the meter reading and billing service to reimburse their landlords.
Based on a decade of experience with submetering, Wachsmuth shares with Inside Towers the five essential reasons they’re the “ideal alternative.”
- Navigate Utility Red Tape and Accelerate Time to Market
With submetering, a meter is installed between main power and the carrier’s cell site. Submetering on a temporary or permanent basis is an optimal alternative to traditional utility metering, since obtaining a direct utility service has become increasingly expensive and time-consuming as of late, says Wachsmuth. Submeters are particularly useful with carrier co-locations, because National Electrical Code prohibits more than six disconnects after the main power in any one building.
2. Avoid Underpayment and Repercussions
Some landlords will set up flat monthly electrical payments pursuant to lease agreements with carriers. Because this is not a payment method based on actual readings, landlords are left susceptible to underpayments when carriers upgrade or increase the size of their cell sites, Wachsmuth explains. In many cases, by the time the underpayment is detected, years have gone by, and dollar amounts can grow into the tens of thousands. When this happens, landlords may potentially threaten legal action or power shutoff, and can be uncooperative with carriers when they want to perform maintenance or upgrades to their sites.
“Flat fees will inevitably be unfair for either the landlord or tenant, and they can lead to a rocky relationship,” Wachsmuth said.
3. Access Data Remotely
Sending someone to read an electric meter requires travel time and expense. Oftentimes, the electric meters are installed in locked carrier shelters, basement electrical rooms, or rooftops that require prior coordination and insurance or security clearance to access.
PD&SG’s meters are equipped with an internal communications module that transmits via an omni-carrier wireless air card. The data can be read entirely remotely, allowing seamless operations anywhere in the United States.
“Because we do not need to physically send anyone to read the meters, which may be at towers in remote locations, we have eliminated many of the costs associated with traditional meter reading, and as such, can offer services at very competitive prices,” says Wachsmuth.
4. Improve the Landlord-Tenant Relationship
Having a third party read the submeter instead of either relying on the landlord or the carrier to do so removes a lot of contention concerning the payment of the electricity bill. This increases transparency and improves the business partnership, according to Wachsmuth. “Our goal is to take the responsibility out of the hands of the landlord and the carrier,” explains Wachsmuth. “If we are doing our job correctly, carriers and their landlords will rarely, if ever have to discuss their electric reimbursements.”
5. Ensure Accuracy
Submetering is the most accurate method of measuring and billing electric usage. By installing a meter directly in the power feed between the source and the cellular communications equipment, it measures everything passing through it, so no multiplier is needed in calculating usage. Accurate reporting helps carriers and their landlords avoid confusion and keeps everyone happy.
Get Started with Submetering
PD&SG is currently metering cell sites in 33 states and Washington D.C. That coverage includes nearly 1,500 towers, rooftops, small cell and distributed antenna systems. PD&SG has worked directly with every major national wireless carrier, tower company, wireless infrastructure company, and dozens of regional tower companies, as well.
“We are happy to serve as the middleman for all things relating to meter reading and billing so the wireless carriers and their landlords can focus on more important things,” concludes Wachsmuth.
For more information, reach out directly to Buddy Wachsmuth at 631-578-3136, email [email protected], or visit www.powerdesigngroup.com.
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[1] Statista
By J. Sharpe Smith, Inside Towers Technology Editor
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