# What Is Make-Ready Engineering in Telecom? The 5-Phase Process Explained

**Author:** Omar Molina, Managing Director, Draftech International  
**Published:** 2026-05-27  
**Category:** Make-Ready Engineering  
**URL:** https://draftech.com/blog/what-is-make-ready-engineering-telecom

## Summary

Make-ready engineering is the process of surveying, analyzing, redesigning, and rearranging existing attachments on utility poles so a new fiber attacher can meet NESC clearance requirements. It is the phase most responsible for fiber build delays — timelines range from 60 days to 18+ months depending on pole ownership, pole loading results, and utility response windows.

## Key Topics

- Phase 1: Field Survey — pole inventory, attachment heights, data collection
- Phase 2: Pole Loading Analysis — structural modeling to identify rearrangement requirements
- Phase 3: Make-Ready Application — filing with each pole owner, timelines by utility type
- Phase 4: Make-Ready Rearrangement — physical work by utility crews or OTMR contractors
- Phase 5: Final Clearance and As-Built Documentation — clearance letters and GIS records
- Who pays for make-ready (the new attacher pays for all costs)
- OTMR (One-Touch Make-Ready) explained

## Related Services

- [Field Survey Services](https://draftech.com/services/field-survey)
- [Pole Loading Analysis Services](https://draftech.com/services/pole-loading-analysis)

## Contact

Draftech International — info@draftech.com | 305-306-7407  
Active in 22 states. Available to deploy across all 50 U.S. states.