Skip to content

Communication tower attachment program

Microwave tower

Grow your wireless and radio infrastructure

Attach wireless and radio equipment to our communication towers with the communication tower attachment program. These towers provide an opportunity to install multiple antennas connected to your control equipment and powered by our electrical service.

One key advantage of using our towers is that you can carry out your own installation and maintenance activities.

How it works

Here’s the complete process for attaching your equipment to our communication towers:

1. Initial consultation

Before submitting your application, we recommend contacting us to discuss the overall project and your proposed attachment plans. Please email us at attachments@bchydro.com with the location of interest (latitude and longitude) and a high-level scope summary.

2. Master Services Agreement and Program Schedule

If you don’t have a Master Services Agreement, follow our instructions for new customers.

3. Attachment application

Complete the appropriate application form based on whether you’re installing new equipment or modifying an existing installation:

Submit the required documents as outlined in the application form, including the application fee, to attachments@bchydro.com.

4. Application review

After we receive your complete application, we’ll evaluate it to determine the proposal’s feasibility. If your request is approved, we’ll send you a cost letter outlining the costs and documentation required to complete a structural analysis.

In most cases, it takes us approximately two months to finish our review and send you the cost letter, depending on how many other applications we’re processing at the same time.

5. Structural analysis phase

Once we receive structural analysis funding and documentation, we’ll analyze the proposed attachment’s structure based on proposed loadings and review any applicable ground-based equipment. This assessment determines whether any BC Hydro make-ready work is needed to support the attachment to our tower.

Following the analysis, we’ll send you a construction cost letter outlining the construction costs of any required BC Hydro make-ready work and the post-construction inspection fees.

In most cases, it takes us approximately six months to complete our analysis and send you the design and construction cost letter, depending on the number of requested attachments, permitting requirements, and how many other applications we’re processing at the same time.

6. Reinforcement design and construction phase

Once we receive design and construction funding, we’ll complete the work identified in the structural analysis phase. This may include activities such as detailed reinforcement design and installing required reinforcements.

In this phase, you’ll conduct your work on your attachment to our tower. You must coordinate with our field managers to schedule this work and ensure it doesn’t conflict with our ongoing activities. You’re also responsible for obtaining all necessary permits and land tenures before installing your equipment.

In most cases, it takes approximately three to six months to complete the reinforcement design and construction, depending on the extent of the make-ready work required, construction resource availability, and seasonal restrictions.

7. Close-out phase

Upon project completion, we’ll reconcile the actual costs and send you reconciliation cost letters accordingly. You’ll be required to submit As-Built drawings for our records that meet the microwave tower As-Built requirements [PDF, 55 KB].

Contact us

If you have questions or support with the application process for the communication tower attachment program, email us at attachments@bchydro.com.

Applicable BC Hydro Standards

Design drawings for submission must align with applicable BC Hydro standards. These standards form the basis of our structural and electrical review during the definition phase and must be adhered to for all third-party attachments to our communication structures.

  • Grounding at communication sites 
  • Third party use grounding for communication sites 
  • Intermodulation co-location requirements

Please contact attachments@bchydro.com for these standards.