CORNERSTONE
“ We’ re deploying infrastructure in extremely remote locations, but we will be deploying infrastructure at streetscape level, both urban and rural, to really focus on densification to ensure that the end user has seamless connectivity.”
These changes occur against a backdrop of environmental concerns and workforce challenges within the wider industry. The telecommunications sector in particular is looking to reduce its carbon footprint while expanding its network capabilities.
Cornerstone’ s sustainability initiatives include transitioning maintenance operations to electric vehicles and introducing renewable technologies at cell sites. Solar power and lithiumion batteries are also enabling some locations to operate independently of the power grid.
“ We’ re very mindful of the amount of people that access and egress our estate on an annual basis, and any individual doing so has to use a car,” Andy says.“ We are actively redesigning our cell sites and introducing renewable technologies so that we can potentially run off grid rather than have that dependency.”
Creating a workforce ecosystem Like other leaders in the industry, Cornerstone faces workforce challenges common within the telecommunications sector. Currently, the average age of a field engineer is 54, with limited new talent entering the industry.
“Young talent is coming out of schools and colleges and they know more than we do”
ANDY TRAIN, CHIEF NETWORK OFFICER, CORNERSTONE
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