Over the past few years, mobile network operators (MNOs) globally have been working tirelessly to improve and expand connectivity infrastructure. This is to achieve the common goal of building a seamless, digital-first world. However, one major hurdle all MNOs face in realising this vision is the long build time involved in constructing cellular towers.

Cellular towers, also known as cell sites, are the building blocks of telecommunication networks. They contain communications equipment that can send and receive cellular signals, and multiple towers work in tandem to provide network coverage. One tower takes anywhere from eight to 12 months to build – and much of that time is taken by the extensive site selection and acquisition process.

To overcome this, edotco’s proprietary, award-winning Network and Planning Analytics (NaPA) tool can help MNOs shorten the build process and meet their planning objectives. It is complemented by the Digital Twin solution, which uses drones to capture a digital copy of the towers to facilitate remote interaction, analysis, prediction and more. Both are features of edotco’s Zero Touch initiative, which leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to help MNOs achieve their business outcomes.

Understanding the NaPA factor

Traditionally, the tower-building process is a linear one. Tower companies (TowerCos) such as edotco usually wait for MNOs to identify and provide the desired locations for new tower site builds, then only do they execute the build. But in 2019, edotco’s engineers built the NaPA tool in-house to help edotco identify and predict suitable sites, thus enabling MNOs to conduct faster and more efficient site planning. It also shortens the build time as planning can now be done concurrently with acquisition.

Leveraging edotco’s telco expertise and powerful data analytics, the NaPA tool overlays three datasets to select the most appropriate sites for each respective MNO client.

• First, the demand dataset identifies key factors such as the size of the local population, settlement locations and points of interest to assess location suitability.


• Next, the supply dataset provides each MNO’s subscriber data and coverage signal strength to identify holes or weaknesses in coverage areas.


• Finally, NaPA’s matching module identifies edotco sites that are within range of the proposed site and can be used for site-sharing by the MNOs, thereby helping them reduce capital investment.

As an example, the NaPA tool can use geospatial analytics to identify potential rural areas that are lacking connectivity, as well as pinpoint locations that have poor supply. This supports MNOs in determining which potential site locations may offer the highest return on investment, as well as being able to assess whether they have adequate coverage in areas with high demand. Additionally, the NaPA tool can also provide competitor analysis by identifying signal strength.

Deploying NaPA across Asia

Since its inception, we have deployed the NaPA tool to support capacity planning for multiple MNOs across Asia. In 2021, the tool was instrumental in identifying that 40 percent of the available 25,000 cell sites in Malaysia overlapped, with many also being less than 500m away from each other. This resulted in unnecessary coverage duplication, which led to industrial-scale capital wastage.

We have also used the NaPA tool to identify over 113 potential coordinates for future infrastructure deployment that meet Malaysia’s National Fiberisation and Connectivity Plan (NFCP) objectives in the states of Johor, Terengganu and Sabah, as well as 223 sites for the Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) initiative. Given that the impending 5G network rollout requires an estimated additional 15,000 new sites, it will be instrumental for both MNOs and TowerCos to achieve strategic 5G network planning.

The NaPA tool is also making waves in Myanmar and Pakistan. In Myanmar, it has predicted tower sites that may face potential congestion within six months from the date of analysis, enabling proactive rectification. Meanwhile, it has analysed the rollout plans of all MNOs in Pakistan to identify over 50 percent of site-sharing opportunities present within the networks. In the future, we aim to deploy the NaPA tool across our regional footprints to facilitate the transition to 5G in those markets.

Synergy with the Digital Twin

While the NaPA tool is instrumental in predicting and planning tower builds, edotco’s Digital Twin solution is designed to support the post-build phase of towers. After a tower is built, the MNO must then monitor, maintain and upgrade it regularly to ensure optimal performance. This often requires on-site field data capture to ensure accurate status assessment, which can make it an expensive and time-consuming task – as well as being dangerous for the assessor.

The Digital Twin solution uses drone technology and advanced software solutions to simplify and optimise tower monitoring and maintenance. Fully autonomous drones can capture a digital copy of any type of physical tower, after which features such as AI-powered auto-discovery, AI inventory detection and automated reality model generation enable remote yet high-resolution inspections. The granularity of data allows inspectors to make accurate assessments without endangering their safety.

Following the inspection, AI and machine learning are used to automatically generate a detailed status report, complete with accurate labelling and calculation for ease of comprehension. The powerful solution also includes other robust features such as a customer simulation portal, structural analytics, multi-system data fusion and more, providing an unprecedented level of insight into towers for MNOs and enabling them to optimise both a tower’s lifespan and performance.

Embracing technology for a connected future

As with all grand goals, meaningful change can only be achieved via the dedicated efforts of an ecosystem working in concert – and building a highly connected, sustainable world is no exception. The NaPA tool and the Digital Twin solution are just a few examples of how TowerCos like edotco can proactively support MNOs in realising this ambition. Ultimately, we remain committed to enhancing equitable connectivity in Asia and beyond through innovation.