The high costs of developing and powering remote tower sites are no longer a barrier to mobile phone penetration in rural, remote, or off-grid locations, thanks to American Resource and Energy, a global supplier of telecom structures. The company, which has supplied thousands of wind towers worldwide, is unveiling a set of self-raising monopole towers, concrete-free foundations and solar power systems that slash installation and operation expenses and promise to accelerate mobile phone and internet adoption in less connected locations.
- Concrete-free foundations: These patent-pending systems are assembled on-site with basic tools, and can also be disassembled and reused elsewhere. Local rocks, gravel or backfilled soil serve as ballast, and no excavation is required.
- Self-raising monopole towers: A compact motorized device raises the tower from its base, eliminating the need for cranes or heavy equipment.
- Solar power systems: Mounted to the tower or as a separate, free-standing structure, the solar systems (up to 10 kilowatt) reduce or eliminate diesel reliance. Wind-solar-diesel hybrid systems are also available.