TIP and Cornerstone agree to speed mast site renewals

Telecom Infrastructure Partners and Cornerstone have agreed a long-term strategic partnership designed to simplify the renewal and management of mobile sites,

The agreement will establish a common framework for telecoms sites within Telecom Infrastructure Partners’ (TIP) managed portfolio It replaces site-by-site negotiations with a more consistent approach as agreements expire.

The companies say the arrangement should provide greater certainty for landowners, infrastructure providers and mobile network operators while making it easier to develop mobile infrastructure.

Cornerstone operates more than 16,500 sites and says around 60 per cent of the country’s mobile traffic passes through its infrastructure.

TIP and Cornerstone will create a shared portfolio of sites and adopt a consistent process for renewing site agreements.

A pre-agreed commercial framework will provide greater predictability over future costs and reduce the scope for protracted negotiations.

Site management and technical information exchange will be improved by having agreed procedures for resolving disputes and operational issues.

The significance for operators is less bureaucracy around the physical sites. Faster lease renewals can make future network investment easier to plan.

Cornerstone chief executive Pat Coxen said the agreement demonstrated the importance of long-term cooperation between the different parts of the mobile infrastructure ecosystem.

“The future of UK digital infrastructure will be built through long-term collaboration, responsible investment and strong partnerships that create value for everyone involved. We’re creating greater certainty for customers, landowners and partners.”

TIP director of strategic partnerships Mark McKenna said the agreement would bring greater consistency to the way telecoms site renewals are handled. 

“We’re creating a more united and focussed approach while supporting continued investment in the UK’s digital infrastructure.”