AT&T has added new contractors for wireless infrastructure deployment…
AT&T Turf Vendor Program
AT&T Mobility’s 4G network is nationwide, but the deployment and maintenance of that network happens state by state and even city by city. Unlike Verizon Wireless, which assigns a network manager to each part of the country, AT&T contracts with wireless infrastructure specialists to build and upgrade its network.
These contractors are known in the industry as “turf vendors” because they have responsibility for different geographic regions. Some are multinational construction giants like Bechtel and Black & Veatch, while others are regional firms dedicated to telecom and wireless. AT&T’s “Turf 2.0” contracts were awarded in 2011, but since that time the carrier has added new contractors.
“We’re pleased with our turf vendor program, which we believe redefined our industry and is best in class. While our vendors are generally known, we keep program details private for competitive and other reasons,” said AT&T in a statement.
A turf vendor list (shown below) that is currently circulating among wireless infrastructure providers is characterized by AT&T as “inaccurate and incomplete.” The list does suggest that the carrier has brought on several new contractors since 2011.
“Once these vendors in Turf 2.0 could not perform, that’s when they started bringing on these other vendors,” said tower crew recruiter Ron Deese, president of TelForce Group. Companies on the list above that did not appear on AT&T’s 2011 turf vendor list include Empire Telecom, BlueStream Professional Services, Nexius and Ansco.
Ericsson is the only original equipment manufacturer on the turf vendor list, but OEMs Samsung and Nokia Networks also perform network deployment. Nokia has purchased turf vendor SAC Wireless to expand this business. Other recent mergers in the infrastructure services space include MasTec’s purchase of Dynis and Jacobs Engineering’s purchase of FMHC.
“We have seen some consolidation among those providers and seen some shifts in those providers based on performance,” said analyst Aaron Blazar of ACM-Atlantic.
“AT&T has a scorecard that’s got six different metrics that they measure these guys on,” said recruiter Paul Harris of GRN Blackhawk. “They drive a pretty hard bargain, and I say that respectfully. They want their stuff done right.” Harris said that the six criteria on AT&T’s “scorecard” are:
1. Communication and coordination
2. Accuracy of cost estimates
3. Schedule and preparation and maintenance of project schedule
4. Innovation and problem solving
5. Quality of work
6. Quality of documentation
Sources say that as AT&T prepares to award its “Turf 3.0” contracts later this year, the carrier’s main focus is on identifying contractors that it believes can definitely perform. Some are hearing that AT&T wants 22 or 23 contractors this time around. The list above shows 23 geographic regions, divided amongst 14 companies.
For more information:
Download RCR’s complimentary feature report on wireless infrastructure services providers and listen to the webinar featuring analyst Aaron Blazar of ACM-Atlantic, recruiter Paul Harris of GRN Blackhawk, and BlueStream Professional Services’ Marc Bolick.
Tower image source: Empire Telecom
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