Vantage Towers AG, a leading tower company in Europe, has installed the first wooden structured telecommunication mast in cooperation with the Finnish start-up Ecotelligent. Source: Timberbiz
The Ecopol tower was erected as one of two wooden masts in Rhineland-Palatinate as part of a pilot project, as announced by Vantage Towers in October 2022. The installation of the second Ecopol tower is expected to take place in Leiwen, Germany, in the third quarter of 2023; further locations in Germany are being considered.
With the construction of wooden structured telecommunication infrastructure, Vantage Towers, together with Ecotelligent, is marking the beginning of a more sustainable mobile communications industry and digitalisation.
According to the manufacturer, the Ecopol towers, which are built from recyclable wood, have a significantly lower carbon footprint than comparable masts made of steel or concrete. In addition, they have an attractive, modern design and blend in better with their surroundings, which increases the acceptance of telecommunication infrastructure among the population.
“The wooden structured tower has made even critics change their minds. I am pleased that we have found this solution for mobile phone coverage in Bechtolsheim together with Vantage Towers. Perhaps we will also become a role model for how the expansion of mobile communications in rural areas can succeed,” Dieter Mann, Mayor of Bechtolsheim said.
Gyöngyi Mátray, CEO of Ecotelligent said: “With the ongoing 5G expansion, thousands of telecommunication towers are currently being planned and built across Europe. It is therefore increasingly important to consider emissions in this sector. As a renewable resource and natural carbon sink, wood is a responsible and more sustainable alternative for building digital infrastructure. I am pleased that we have been able to win Vantage Towers, a leading European tower operator, as a partner for our mission and hope to build many more masts together.”
