Pole loading analysis, make-ready work order preparation, OTMR coordination, and utility make-ready management for wireless attachment programs — the structural engineering and coordination work that clears the pole before your equipment goes up.
Before any wireless carrier can attach equipment to a utility pole or streetlight, the pole must be structurally analyzed and any necessary preparatory work must be completed. This is make-ready engineering — the structural assessment and coordination work that determines whether a pole can support the proposed wireless attachment, what changes are required to accommodate it, and how those changes get executed through the utility's make-ready process.
Make-ready for wireless attachments has two components: the pole loading analysis and the make-ready coordination. The pole loading analysis is a structural calculation — using NESC standards and software such as O-Calc Pro — that models the existing and proposed loads on the pole under wind, ice, and combined loading conditions. If the analysis shows the pole can support the wireless attachment as-is, a no-make-ready determination is issued. If the pole fails the loading calculation, make-ready work must be designed and coordinated before the attachment can proceed. That work may involve raising or rearranging existing attachments to improve pole geometry, transferring existing lines to a new span, or replacing the pole entirely with a higher-capacity structure.
The make-ready coordination process is governed by FCC pole attachment rules and runs on a defined timeline. The pole owner must respond to an attachment request with a cost estimate within 15 days. Simple make-ready — rearranging existing communications attachments — must be completed within 60 days. Complex make-ready involving power zone work or pole replacement has a 105-day statutory timeline. One-Touch Make-Ready (OTMR) allows new attachers to hire a qualified contractor to perform all communications-zone make-ready in a single coordinated visit, which can significantly compress timelines in markets where utility responsiveness is slow. Draftech manages all of these process tracks as an integrated part of the wireless deployment workflow.
NESC-compliant structural analysis for wireless attachments on utility and streetlight poles using O-Calc Pro. Existing load inventory, proposed attachment modeling, and pass/fail determination with supporting calculations.
Complete make-ready engineering design package — pole replacement specifications, attachment rearrangement drawings, riser and down guy designs, and all documentation required for utility work order authorization.
One-Touch Make-Ready process management — contractor qualification verification, existing attacher notification documentation, and OTMR work coordination for eligible communications-zone make-ready.
Field survey of proposed wireless attachment poles — existing attachment documentation, pole species and class verification, GPS coordinates, and photographic record for loading analysis inputs.
Attachment application submission, utility response tracking, make-ready estimate review, work order authorization coordination, and construction inspection scheduling with the pole owner.
Post-make-ready as-built confirmation — updated pole loading analysis reflecting completed make-ready work, final attachment clearance documentation, and record updates for carrier inventory systems.
OTMR Eligibility: One-Touch Make-Ready applies to simple make-ready in the communications space on utility poles that are not in a dig-once or underground conduit system. Make-ready involving the power zone (within 40 inches of power conductors) remains subject to utility-controlled processes regardless of OTMR eligibility. Draftech assesses OTMR eligibility at the application stage for every pole in a wireless attachment program.
AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and regional carriers deploying small cell and macro wireless infrastructure on utility-owned and city-owned pole infrastructure across multi-market programs.
Crown Castle, American Tower, SBA, and independent operators building small cell infrastructure on utility poles — requiring make-ready engineering and utility coordination at program scale.
Fixed wireless ISPs attaching access point equipment to utility poles for BEAD-funded and commercial rural broadband networks — requiring pole loading and make-ready coordination before attachment.
Cities deploying smart city wireless infrastructure or 5G-ready pole programs on city-owned streetlight infrastructure — requiring structural assessment before attachment authorization.
Make-ready engineering for wireless attachments is the structural and coordination work required to prepare a utility or streetlight pole to accept a new wireless attachment. Before a wireless carrier or tower company can attach equipment to a pole, the pole must be analyzed to confirm it can support the additional load. If existing attachments are too low, too close together, or if the pole itself lacks capacity, make-ready work must be completed first. Draftech produces the pole loading analysis, the make-ready work order package, and coordinates the utility's execution of that work.
OTMR (One-Touch Make-Ready) is an FCC rule that allows a new attacher to hire a qualified contractor to perform all make-ready work in a single visit — including moving existing third-party attachments — rather than coordinating individual visits from each existing attacher. OTMR applies to simple make-ready on wireless attachments in the communications space. It can significantly compress make-ready timelines in markets where utility responsiveness is slow. Draftech coordinates OTMR processes where applicable, including contractor qualification verification and existing attacher notification.
Make-ready timelines vary significantly by scope and utility. Under FCC rules, the pole owner has 15 days to respond to a make-ready request with a cost estimate. Simple make-ready must be completed within 60 days of payment. Complex make-ready involving power zone work or pole replacement has a 105-day timeline. Real-world timelines often exceed these benchmarks in markets where utilities are managing high volumes of attachment requests simultaneously.
Whether you're launching a small cell attachment program or processing utility make-ready for a single site, Draftech provides complete pole loading analysis, make-ready work order packages, and utility coordination. All 50 U.S. states. MBE-certified.
Request Make-Ready EngineeringOr email us at info@draftech.com — we reply within one business day.
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