Joint Use: Best Practices for Project Success

Joint use has never been as important as it is today. With demand for telecommunications infrastructure skyrocketing, governments are investing big in initiatives like the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity Access Deployment Program (BEAD) and the $20.4 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF).

While this thriving internet connectivity market brings immense opportunity, the boom also presents a host of challenges as utilities navigate a complex joint use landscape with limited staff and constrained budgets.

Joint use activities involve collaboration and coordination with various entities sharing the same infrastructure, such as poles or conduits. For utilities, whose core focus is delivering reliable services, these endeavors can strain resources that might be otherwise dedicated to essential operations. The intricate nature of joint use agreements demands meticulous oversight and ongoing communication, which can be particularly daunting for utilities operating with lean teams. Balancing the demands of joint use obligations alongside core business functions requires strategic resource allocation and streamlined processes to ensure both efficiency and compliance.

Three Pillars of Joint Use Excellence: Safety, Revenue and Customer Satisfaction

Within joint use projects, focusing on best practices for safety, revenue and customer satisfaction are critical for success. Project managers play a crucial role in ensuring joint use infrastructure adheres to safety guidelines, safeguarding communities. Additionally, efficient joint use management becomes an asset for revenue recovery, using joint use attachment audits as the primary tool to identify missed revenue for the utility. Moreover, programs for joint use provide a strategic avenue for telecommunications and utilities to collaborate in meeting the modern consumer demand for reliable high-speed internet.

	Ensuring Safety Public safety is the number one priority in managing joint use projects. An area of particular concern in joint use management is electrical line spacing. When electrical lines are too close together, they can overheat and ignite fires. Improper line spacing can have devastating consequences, including property damage, environmental harm, and even death. Experienced project managers can help ensure that joint use infrastructure is constructed safely and according to governing guidelines. Properly managing joint use electrical lines is essential to keeping communities safe.
	Recovering Revenue Efficient joint use management can not only help ensure safety and regulatory compliance but can also recover lost revenue. Project audits maximize revenue by cataloging pole attachments and tracking rentals, fees, and penalties owed to pole owners. With the guidance of a knowledgeable joint use manager, the ongoing monthly expenses tied to each utility pole can be strategically leveraged to generate substantial income. Experienced managers can also help companies take advantage of lucrative programs, further bolstering business and increasing profits.
	Keeping Customers Satisfied Modern-day consumers want and expect reliable high-speed internet. Joint use programs offer the opportunity for telecommunications companies and utilities to work together to meet this demand. Building broadband infrastructure onto preexisting utility poles saves telecommunications companies money and allows for faster installation. It also helps utility companies play a key role in giving consumers yet another service, cementing their status as essential providers. Skilled joint use managers can work with companies to monitor their customers’ needs and maximize efficiency so as many services as possible are delivered. When telecommunications and utility companies work together, they make both of their customers happier.

Benefits of an Integrated Approach

For those with little to no experience, attempting joint use work on one’s own can sometimes mean complicated contracts and reduced efficiencies, leading to loss of revenue and resources. The results can be financially harmful, administratively messy, and even physically dangerous. Utilities often turn to outsourcing joint use management to avoid these complexities and administrative issues. Qualities to look for in a strong joint use management partner include experience, dedicated staff, a safety mindset, and a comprehensive list of service offerings to accommodate all levels.

In joint use, resource constraints, limited staff, or narrow expertise can call for the involvement of dedicated subject matter experts to oversee joint use operations. This process includes important calculations that have long-lasting effects on an operation’s lifecycle. In the early stages, complications can arise, causing delays in project timelines. It’s important to note that many utilities face challenges due to limited resources, which can lead to recurring issues in the proper execution of joint use initiative and, in some cases, unintentional violations of right-of-way easements.

A trusted partner ensures integrity, quality, and teamwork to move projects forward. Administrative services are also key, to resolving annual invoicing, transfer management and recovery of unpaid rents and fees. Coordinating with licensees for new construction ensures an equal and level partnership for all. In joint use, resource constraints, limited staff, or narrow expertise can call for the involvement of dedicated subject matter experts to oversee joint use operations. This process includes important calculations that have long-lasting effects on an operation’s lifecycle. In the early stages, complications can arise, causing delays in project timelines. It’s important to note that many utilities face challenges due to limited resources, which can lead to recurring issues in the proper execution of joint-use initiatives and, in some cases, unintentional violations of right-of-way easements.

Next Steps: TRC Can Help

As an owner or attacher, effectively managing your joint use agreements to navigate the complexities of sharing utility poles with other companies is paramount. At TRC, we take a holistic approach by offering a comprehensive suite of capabilities in field services, contract services, and administrative services, designed to empower you in maximizing the full potential of your contracts. Leveraging over 25 years of experience in the power and communications industry, our tested practitioners are equipped with the expertise required to oversee your joint-use agreements from start to finish. TRC is dedicated to overcoming the challenges associated with joint-use activities while simultaneously enhancing your revenue streams and minimizing overall costs. With TRC as your strategic partner, you gain a trusted ally in optimizing your joint use agreements for long-term success.

Learn more about our Joint use solutions or contact us today.