7 Steps to Get On Air Fast with American Tower

The following steps will help you anticipate specific requirements, understand important considerations and complete the required forms to get your equipment up and running quickly. Once you’re ready to get started, contact your local American Tower representative for any related forms and additional information you need.


Step 1:  Establish Network Requirements
Step 2:  Select American Tower Sites
Step 3:  Submit a Credit Application
Step 4:  Apply for Space on an American Tower Site
Step 5:  Negotiate License Terms
Step 6:  Permit Your Equipment
Step 7:  Install Your Equipment



Step 1: Establish Network Requirements

To begin work with American Tower or any tower operator, you will need to establish a clear set of network requirements.  Common considerations include:
  • The height required for your equipment to transmit signal
  • The number of antenna locations you require
  • The type of transmission equipment you will use
  • The type of power sources you will use
  • Whether or not you require a T-1 line
  • The processes and timeframes required to obtain permits through the local zoning and building departments for the underlying jurisdictions
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Step 2: Select American Tower Sites

Once network requirements are established, the next step is to locate tower or rooftop sites that fit your coverage goals.  American Tower offers you immediate assistance in finding the sites you need through both our website tools, Site Locator and FastTrack, and Area sales representatives.

Site Locator Tool: To find sites that meet your needs, visit American Tower's Site Locator. With this tool, you will quickly key in search criteria and immediately access a full list of possible “hits.”  Hits are towers or rooftops that fall within close proximity to your coverage needs.  You can view detailed information, photos and maps of our sites of interest and print Site Data Sheets for closer analysis.

FastTrack Site Qualification Program: For in-depth, search ring specific information about American Tower sites, contact your Area Sales VP for a customer ID and password to gain access to our FastTrack tool. In just minutes, you can upload and view ring requests and deliverables for location and mapping results.You can view detailed information including available heights and land, owner consent requirements, structural analysis requirements, Right of First Refusal and much more.

Area Sales Team : Once you’ve located sites of interest online with our Site Locator or FastTrack tools, you can locate your Area Sales VP via American Tower’s website and contact him or her for further inquiry.

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Step 3: Submit a Credit Application

Before you can apply for a license on a tower or rooftop, American Tower requires you to submit a standard credit application.  Once the credit application has been processed and approved, you will be free to submit a license application on any of our sites. Depending on credit scoring, American Tower may require a security deposit (fully refundable) as well as prepayment of rent for the first year.

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Step 4: Apply for Space on an American Tower Site

Once your credit is approved, American Tower will provide you with a standard Collocation Application and guide you through the requirements for submitting the application to American Tower. Once your application is received, an Account Project Manager will be assigned to your application and will be your point of contact for all questions relating to your application and its status. American Tower conducts a full feasibility analysis including mount height availability, structural analysis, ground space determination and location of equipment on tower, Radio Frequency interference studies and real estate reviews.
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Step 5: Negotiate License Terms

At this point in the process, you are ready to negotiate license terms with American Tower. American Tower offers a flexible pricing structure that considers several factors including:
  • The type of equipment you plan to install
  • The market in which you’re building
  • The desirability and availability of the tower height you’re requesting
  • The amount of ground space required
  • And other considerations
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Step 6:  Permit Your Equipment

Each jurisdiction will have its own set of requirements for building a new tower or adding new tenants or “collocating” on existing towers. In general, constructing a new tower involves much more restrictive regulations and is more expensive than collocating on an existing tower.  Some things to consider:
  • You may need to obtain a zoning permit and building or electrical permit prior to constructing your site. American Tower makes sure that our tower sites are in compliance with all local and state zoning laws. We will request copies of all permits that the service provider has obtained prior to issuing a Notice to Proceed (NTP) with construction.
  • American Tower has site acquisition and zoning professionals who, for an hourly fee, can assist you in zoning and permitting your site.
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Step 7: Install Your Equipment

Insurance : It’s important that you obtain insurance for your equipment installation prior to construction. Your insurance must remain in effect through the duration of the site agreement. This protects both the underlying landowner and tower owner.  The specific requirements are detailed in the license agreement.

Notice to Proceed to Construction : After you have completed the above 6 steps, you are ready install your equipment.  American Tower will issue a Notice to Proceed (NTP) when you have obtained and submitted the following documents to your Account Project Manager: permits (if required), insurance certificate, executed license agreement, and general contractor contact information.

License Commencement : Depending on the terms of the agreement, the license commences and you start paying rent to American Tower.  The commencement date is typically within 30 days of execution or the date you install your equipment.

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If you have questions or would like more information, contact your local American Tower representative or call 1-877-ATC-SITE (282-7483) today.