Mobile network coverage is today a strategic issue to meet the growing needs for connectivity, whether in rural or urban areas. Having a connected territory or city has become a true factor of attractiveness for residents and an economic necessity for the development of businesses and competitiveness clusters. Challenges such as white zones (i.e., areas with very low or nonexistent mobile coverage), changes in urban planning and city development, as well as the economic impact of insufficient connectivity require innovative solutions in terms of connectivity. In this article, discover how TOTEM, thanks to its expertise in telecom infrastructures, collaborates with operators and local authorities, both in France and Spain, to provide optimal connectivity to all territories.

Extending mobile network coverage to all territories: a real challenge

White zones and the challenges of rural areas

In rural areas, white zones, where network coverage is insufficient or nonexistent, remain a major challenge. These areas, often isolated, suffer from a lack of suitable telecom infrastructures, limiting access to essential services such as mobile internet or calls. To fill these gaps, players like TOTEM, as a tower company, play a key role by deploying specific and shared infrastructures on behalf of mobile phone operators, allowing residents and businesses to access the mobile network of these operators. The goal: to connect these areas while meeting the growing connectivity needs.

The growth of cities and urban areas: new neighborhoods and infrastructures

In urban environments, the challenges are no less significant. With the expansion of cities and the creation of new neighborhoods, the demand for connectivity is skyrocketing, putting pressure on existing networks. Additionally, there is a technical challenge related to the new materials used in recent constructions, which are sometimes nearly impermeable to electromagnetic waves. Operators must therefore not only extend their coverage but also ensure optimal performance in high-density areas. TOTEM, by collaborating with operators, makes its excellent locations available to them and provides shared infrastructure solutions to support city connectivity and meet the needs of the population.

Economic impact of insufficient network coverage

Insufficient mobile network coverage has direct consequences on the local economy, both in rural and urban areas. The lack of connectivity hinders business development, limits investments, and reduces the attractiveness of territories. For residents, this translates into reduced accessibility to digital services, thereby exacerbating inequalities. By improving mobile coverage in territories, particularly through its shared infrastructures, TOTEM helps bridge these gaps and stimulate the economic dynamism of the affected regions.

TOTEM, a key player in improving mobile network coverage

Deployment of shared infrastructures to optimize connectivity

To address the challenges of mobile network coverage, TOTEM relies on a model of shared infrastructures. This model allows multiple operators to share the same infrastructures, thereby reducing deployment costs and enabling faster progress in their mobile coverage projects, whether in urban or rural areas. Through its infrastructures, TOTEM enables further advancement in mobile coverage in both France and Spain, while ensuring a consistent quality of service for users.

Solutions tailored to the needs of rural and urban areas

TOTEM adapts its solutions to the specificities of each territory. In rural areas, its infrastructures extend coverage in white zones and connect isolated regions. In urban settings, TOTEM addresses the challenges related to the growing population density by offering infrastructures capable of supporting a large volume of connections while maintaining high performance. With a customized approach, TOTEM supports operators in their mission to ensure reliable connectivity for all.

Strengthening connectivity: collaborations to improve mobile network coverage

The role of local authorities in infrastructure development

Local authorities play a crucial role in deploying mobile network coverage by identifying the specific needs of their territories (often referred to as “coverage gaps”) and collaborating with players like TOTEM as a public landlord (owner of land in public spaces). This cooperative work with local authorities is essential to identify poorly served areas (particularly to enable emergency services if needed or for tourism-related needs), simplify administrative procedures for deploying antennas (notably through the granting of necessary work permits or building permits), and ensure quality mobile coverage throughout the municipality.

TOTEM relies on its team close to local authorities to support them in their mobile coverage needs and define the most suitable solutions for their geographical, economic, or tourism-specific characteristics.

TOTEM and operators: a partnership to connect territories

By working hand in hand with telecom operators, TOTEM builds, deploys, and maintains shared infrastructures that allow them to accelerate the deployment of mobile networks while limiting their investment costs. This model ensures enhanced connectivity, even in the most complex environments, such as new urban areas or isolated territories. By facilitating these partnerships, TOTEM contributes to making connectivity an asset for the economic and social development of territories.

Towards optimal mobile network coverage for all

Future technologies to bridge coverage gaps

To ensure accessible mobile network coverage for all, next-generation technologies play a key role. The sharing of infrastructures allows for accelerated mobile coverage in both cities and rural areas, thus helping to reduce or even eliminate the number of white zones. It paves the way for enhanced and more equitable connectivity for the largest number of people.

How TOTEM adapts to evolving connectivity needs

Each year, mobile network consumption grows by 50%. In the face of constantly growing needs, TOTEM offers tailored solutions to ensure quality connectivity, regardless of territorial challenges, relying on shared infrastructures. Its deep knowledge of mobile networks allows TOTEM to support its partners in their needs for increasingly efficient mobile networks, adapted to the realities on the ground.

High-performance mobile connectivity for all territories

Mobile network coverage is much more than just a connectivity issue: it is an essential lever for the economic, social, and digital development of territories. Whether it involves bridging gaps in rural areas or responding to the growing density of urban environments, the challenges are numerous but surmountable through appropriate technical solutions and strategic collaborations.

With its expertise and innovative infrastructures, TOTEM positions itself as a key player in supporting operators and local authorities in this transformation. By combining cutting-edge technologies and a tailored approach, TOTEM contributes to building a high-performance, equitable, and sustainable mobile network capable of meeting the growing connectivity needs of all territories.