The Cost-Efficiency Pillar: A Deep Dive into 4-Legged Towers for Multi-Operator 5G RAN Sharing

The global rollout of 5G represents one of the most capital-intensive infrastructure projects of our time. For Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), the economics are clear: achieving ubiquitous coverage and capacity requires a fundamental shift from building proprietary, single-tenant towers to embracing shared infrastructure. In this shared ecosystem, the choice of physical support structure becomes a critical financial and operational decision. While sleek monopoles dominate urban streetscapes, the 4-legged angle steel lattice tower emerges as the unsung, cost-efficiency champion for multi-operator 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) sharing, offering an unbeatable Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) advantage for high-capacity sites.

This analysis goes beyond mere aesthetics to dissect the cost-benefit equation that makes the 4-legged tower the optimal host for shared 5G ambitions.

The Multi-Operator Imperative and the Load Challenge

5G RAN sharing—where multiple operators colocate their active (antennas, radios) or passive (tower, power, fiber) equipment on a single site—is a proven model for accelerating deployment and slashing costs by 30-40% per operator. However, this convergence creates unique structural demands:

• Increased Weight: Modern 5G Massive MIMO antennas are significantly heavier and bulkier than 4G panels.

• Aggregated Wind Load: Multiple large antennas from several operators present a substantial cumulative surface area for wind force.

• Complex Siting: The ideal, high-value location for coverage often has space for only one structure, which must now serve all.

A monopole's single, tapered tube has practical limits in height and load capacity before requiring exponentially more steel and a massive foundation. The 4-legged tower, with its triangulated geometry, solves this through superior structural efficiency.

A Comparative Cost-Benefit Analysis: 4-Legged vs. Monopole

The true economy of the 4-legged tower is revealed through a lifecycle cost analysis across five key dimensions.

Cost Dimension	4-Legged Angle Steel Tower	Monopole (for equivalent load capacity)	Economic Advantage
1. Material & Fabrication	Uses standardized, high-strength angle steel. Open lattice design employs 20-30% less steel by mass for equivalent strength/height due to optimal load distribution.	Requires thick, rolled steel plates. Material use is less efficient for resisting complex bending moments from multi-sided loads.	Lower CAPEX. Significant savings on raw material, a major cost driver.
2. Transportation & Logistics	Modular and compact. Components break down into standard-length angles and bracings, maximizing truckload capacity and minimizing special transport permits.	Oversized loads. Taller/heavier monopoles often require specialized trailers, police escorts, and route planning, adding cost and complexity.	Lower Logistics Cost. Easier, cheaper shipping to remote or logistically challenging sites.
3. Foundation & Civil Works	Distributed load. Weight and overturning forces are spread across four separate footing points, requiring less massive individual concrete pours.	Concentrated load. All forces channel into one single, large-diameter foundation requiring deep excavation and significant reinforced concrete.	Lower Civil Works CAPEX. Can be the single largest site cost savings, especially in poor soil conditions.
4. Installation & Scalability	Bolted assembly. Erection is methodical, using standard cranes. Platforms are easily added or reinforced at multiple levels to host new tenants or equipment.	Often welded or large-bolt connection. Requires larger cranes for single-piece lifts. Vertical real estate is fixed; adding significant new load often necessitates complete tower replacement.	Future-Proof & Flexible. Lower installation risk and cost for future expansion, protecting the shared asset's long-term value.
5. Maintenance & Lifecycle	Hot-dip galvanized components provide 50+ year corrosion protection. Any single damaged member can be individually inspected and replaced if needed.	Also galvanized, but damage or corrosion to the single shaft can compromise the entire structure, potentially requiring a full wrap or costly sectional repair.	Lower OPEX & Risk. Ensures higher long-term structural integrity and easier, cheaper repairs.

The Shared-Site Value Multiplier

The economic argument solidifies when applied to a multi-operator RAN sharing scenario. A single 4-legged tower, designed from the outset for heavy loads, can host three or four operators' full 5G suites (including backup microwave links) without future structural modification.

• Cost Dilution: The tower's total capital cost is shared among all tenants. While the initial outlay for a heavy-duty 4-legged tower may be higher than a basic monopole, the per-operator cost plummets.

• Accelerated Revenue: A tower that is "tenant-ready" avoids the 12-18 month delay of permitting and building a new structure for each new operator, allowing tower companies (TowerCos) or host MNOs to generate rental income faster.

• Site Preservation: In coveted locations (e.g., a town's highest hill), one robust 4-legged tower preserves the asset for decades of technological evolution, avoiding the nightmare of trying to permit multiple towers in the same spot.

Conclusion: Investing in the Shared Future

The transition to 5G and beyond is not a sprint but a marathon. For network planners and TowerCos, the choice of infrastructure must be strategic, balancing today's needs with tomorrow's unknowns. The 4-legged angle steel tower is not merely a piece of steel; it is a strategic, cost-efficiency platform engineered for the shared future.

Its material efficiency, logistical simplicity, scalable design, and unparalleled load capacity translate directly into lower CAPEX, reduced OPEX, and higher long-term asset value. In the mission to deliver cost-effective, ubiquitous 5G coverage through RAN sharing, the 4-legged tower is not just an option—it is the most rational, economical, and future-proof pillar for success.