SOLAR TODO delivered a steel Telecom Tower program in Tirana, Albania—designed to densify radio coverage while meeting strict structural, corrosion, and aviation requirements for tall telecom infrastructure in Europe.
Answer Capsule: We supplied and deployed 57×45m galvanized steel monopoles with 9×panel + 6×RRU + 3×small cell loads, built to TIA-222-H / GB/T 50233 and supported by pile foundations.
Tirana’s telecom operators face a familiar combination of constraints: limited siting footprints in urban corridors, high wind exposure typical of the Adriatic-influenced climate, and the need to modernize capacity without replacing entire tower systems repeatedly. For this rollout, SOLAR TODO focused on a robust steel monopole tower product platform that can be shipped efficiently (CKD), erected quickly, and withstand long-term corrosion risk in a medium corrosion zone.
The result is a standardized yet configuration-ready Telecom Tower that supports multi-technology antenna layouts and provides the safety and compliance hardware required for operation in a European aviation environment.
Project Overview: 57 Monopole Towers for Tirana’s Network Expansion
SOLAR TODO manufactured and delivered 57 units of 45m tapered steel monopole towers in Tirana, Albania (41.33, 19.82). Each tower is a NOT lattice, NOT FRP design—built as a flanged bolt-on sectional steel tube to enable controlled assembly and predictable quality.
Key deployment goals were:
- Accommodate a dense antenna configuration per site (multi-sector panels, RRU mounting, and small cell integration).
- Meet structural performance expectations for tall towers under wind loading.
- Reduce logistics and on-site assembly complexity through CKD shipping (knock-down) and sectional design.
- Ensure compliance with aviation obstruction lighting and grounding/lightning protection.
Why the Steel Monopole Product Works in Tirana
In Tirana, telecom infrastructure must operate reliably through seasonal wind events and in environments where corrosion control is essential. The chosen product—a tapered round/octagonal steel monopole—offers favorable wind behavior compared with non-tapered forms and simplifies installation by using bolt-on sectional flanges.
SOLAR TODO’s towers are engineered for the project’s wind category and structural verification approach based on internationally recognized tower design guidance (notably TIA-222-H). The towers also follow material and corrosion control practices aligned with GB/T 50233, supporting consistent long-term performance.
To address practical site realities in a dense city, the tower system was shipped CKD, achieving 60–70% volume reduction, which helps reduce truck sizes, handling complexity, and transport costs while keeping components organized for controlled field assembly.
Technical Specifications
- Quantity: 57 units
- Tower type: Steel monopole tower (NOT lattice, NOT FRP)
- Height: 45m tapered steel tube
- Material: Hot-dip galvanized Q345 steel
- Design / wind: Wind class 3 (60 m/s) with factor 1.35 per TIA-222-H approach
- Corrosion zone: Medium
- Antenna load per tower: 9× panel antenna + 6× RRU + 3× small cell (10kg)
- Foundation: Pile foundation
- Accessories included: climbing ladder + cable tray + aircraft warning light + grounding system + lightning rod + 3 antenna platforms + safety cage
- Shipping format: CKD (knock-down), 60–70% volume reduction
- Production lead time: 30–45 days
- Standards: TIA-222-H / GB/T 50233
Mechanical Design: Tapered Hot-Dip Galvanized Monopole Structure
Each 45m tower is built as a tapered steel monopole using hot-dip galvanized Q345 steel. The tapering geometry helps reduce wind forces over height by improving aerodynamic performance and maintaining a consistent structural load path.
The towers are assembled from flanged bolt-on sectional components, enabling:
- Controlled field assembly and alignment
- Repeatable installation quality across all 57 sites
- Efficient handling of sections during transport and crane lifts
While the deployment configuration varies by site, the product is designed to accept the same core load envelope required for the Tirana network upgrade:
- 9× panel antenna for the primary sector coverage pattern
- 6× RRU (remote radio units) integrated into the structural tiers
- 3× small cell elements (each accounted as 10kg) for localized capacity enhancement
This combination reflects a modern telecom architecture where macro coverage and distributed capacity must coexist on the same vertical asset.
Wind, Structural Verification, and Safety Hardware
For Tirana’s conditions, SOLAR TODO designed the tower system under the project’s specified wind regime:
- Wind class 3 with 60 m/s design wind
- Structural factor 1.35 per TIA-222-H methodology
This matters because telecom towers are safety-critical assets. The tower platform and ladder system must support safe access during installation and maintenance, and the structural capacity must be consistent across the full height.
SOLAR TODO also included aviation and safety hardware as part of the standard tower package:
- Aircraft warning light to support obstruction marking requirements
- Grounding system for electrical safety and lightning protection integration
- Lightning rod to provide a defined path for strike events
- Safety cage and climbing ladder for technician access
- Cable tray to manage RF/power cabling routing cleanly and reduce cable stress
Corrosion Management for Medium Corrosion Zones
The project specifies a medium corrosion zone, which is common for coastal-influenced European climates. SOLAR TODO’s use of hot-dip galvanized Q345 steel is a deliberate choice for durability and long-term resistance.
By standardizing the corrosion approach across all towers, SOLAR TODO reduces variability between sites and supports predictable maintenance planning. This is especially important when 57 towers must remain operational through multi-year network upgrades.
Foundation Engineering: Pile Foundations for Urban Stability
To ensure stability in Tirana’s deployment environment, the towers were specified with pile_foundation. Pile foundations are commonly selected for tall, concentrated loads where soil conditions and site constraints require deeper load transfer.
SOLAR TODO coordinated the tower design and erection plan around the foundation strategy, ensuring the bolt-on sectional tower can be anchored and aligned correctly for long-term structural performance.
CKD Logistics: Faster Deployment with 60–70% Volume Reduction
One of the most practical challenges in European city deployments is transportation and handling. SOLAR TODO shipped tower components in CKD (knock-down) format, achieving 60–70% volume reduction.
This CKD approach improves site logistics in Tirana by:
- Reducing the number and size of transport loads
- Simplifying crane planning and staging
- Enabling predictable assembly sequences for field crews
With a 30–45 day production schedule, SOLAR TODO could align manufacturing output with site readiness and installation windows.
Antenna & Equipment Mounting Configuration (Per Tower)
Each Tirana Telecom Tower unit was configured to host the specified telecom equipment load:
- 9× panel antenna
- 6× RRU
- 3× small cell, accounted at 10kg each
- 3× antenna platforms integrated into the tower package
The inclusion of antenna platforms is critical for serviceability: it provides stable mounting and safe maintenance access while keeping the antenna system structurally supported.
In addition, the cable tray supports organized routing of cabling between tiers, helping reduce cable damage risk from vibration, sharp bends, or improper suspension.
Compliance and Standards Alignment (International + Industry)
SOLAR TODO’s tower design and manufacturing approach for this project references:
- TIA-222-H for structural and wind-related tower design methodology
- GB/T 50233 for steel structure-related practices and quality expectations
For aviation warning integration, the project’s obstruction light approach aligns with international expectations for marking tall structures, referencing guidance consistent with ICAO practices (as implemented through local aviation requirements).
For related engineering context on lightning protection and electrical safety coordination, SOLAR TODO also aligns tower grounding and lightning integration practices with recognized international engineering guidance, consistent with IEC safety principles.
Authoritative references used for project design basis and verification include:
- TIA-222-H (Structural Standards for Antenna Supporting Structures)
- GB/T 50233 (Steel structure-related standards)
- IEC standards for electrical safety and grounding/lightning protection practices
- ITU guidance on tower and network infrastructure considerations
- World Bank resources on infrastructure resilience practices (used to guide maintainability and safety planning)
Results and Impact
Across Tirana, SOLAR TODO delivered a repeatable, standardized tower product that supports modern network densification without compromising structural safety or maintainability.
Quantified outcomes include:
- 57× completed 45m steel monopole towers delivered as a unified product line
- 60–70% logistics volume reduction via CKD shipping, reducing transport complexity for urban sites
- Tower capacity validated for the specified wind class 3 (60 m/s, factor 1.35) design basis
- Each tower installed with a complete access and safety package: climbing ladder, cable tray, aircraft warning light, grounding system, lightning rod, 3 antenna platforms, and safety cage
- Deployment configuration per tower achieved the intended load envelope: 9× panel antenna + 6× RRU + 3× small cell (10kg)
Operationally, this means network operators could standardize maintenance practices across sites and reduce variability in tower assembly quality—important when scaling across many locations in a single city.
Pricing & Quotation
SOLAR TODO offers three pricing tiers for this product line: FOB Supply (equipment ex-works China), CIF Delivered (including ocean freight and insurance), and EPC Turnkey (fully installed, commissioned, with 1-year warranty). Volume discounts are available for large-scale deployments. Configure your system online for an instant estimate, or request a custom quotation from our engineering team at cinn@solartodo.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What makes this tower suitable for multi-antenna telecom deployments in Tirana?
The 45m tapered hot-dip galvanized Q345 steel monopole is designed for the specified antenna load: 9× panel antenna + 6× RRU + 3× small cell (10kg) and is verified under TIA-222-H wind methodology for Wind class 3 (60 m/s, factor 1.35).
2) How does SOLAR TODO reduce installation complexity for 57 sites?
Towers ship in CKD format with 60–70% volume reduction. The flanged bolt-on sectional design supports repeatable assembly sequences and efficient staging for field crews.
3) What safety and aviation components are included?
Each tower package includes aircraft warning light, grounding system, lightning rod, climbing ladder, safety cage, and cable tray, plus 3 antenna platforms for safe mounting and maintenance.
4) What foundation type was used for this Tirana project?
The towers were specified with pile_foundation, providing stability for tall, concentrated loads in the deployment environment.
Product Page & Contact
For project-ready configurations and tower sizing support, explore our telecom tower offering at SOLAR TODO Telecom Tower and reach out via contact us.
Equipment Deployed
- 57× 45m tapered steel monopole Telecom Tower, NOT lattice/NOT FRP; hot-dip galvanized Q345 steel; flanged bolt-on sectional design; wind class 3 (60 m/s, factor 1.35) per TIA-222-H; standards TIA-222-H / GB/T 50233
- Per tower antenna/equipment configuration support: 9× panel antenna + 6× RRU + 3× small cell (10kg) mounted on 3× antenna platforms
- Per tower safety & routing package: climbing ladder + cable tray + safety cage
- Per tower aviation and protection package: aircraft warning light + grounding system + lightning rod
- Per tower foundation: pile_foundation
- Shipping and production: CKD knock-down format with 60–70% volume reduction; production lead time 30–45 days