Cellnex is partnering with Poland’s “Shield East” initiative, providing 18,000 base stations and specialized technologies for secure communication networks.
Cellnex’s Expanding Role in Poland
While widely recognized as the owner of telecom towers for Play and Plus networks in Poland, Cellnex aims for strategic support of national defense, building communication networks for uniformed services, and creating “digital twins” of infrastructure.
The company declares full readiness to support the “Shield East” initiative, offering not only 18,000 base stations but also unique technologies ensuring coverage in shelters and underground bunkers.
Strategic Partnership with “Shield East”
Cellnex intends to be a strategic partner for the initiative, awaiting government decisions. The company’s business model, competencies, and physical assets align with the goals of “Shield East.”
As a neutral operator with nearly 18,000 base stations, Cellnex possesses a ready-made infrastructure, particularly in eastern regions, serving as a foundation for early warning systems, border monitoring, and cameras.
Coverage in Underground Structures
Cellnex can assist in building networks of shelters and underground bunkers for military and civilian use. Concrete structures block external signals, but Cellnex offers a solution.
The company is a market leader in DAS (distributed antenna systems) technology, providing excellent coverage for critical and commercial communications within massive, inaccessible structures, such as PGE Narodowy in Warsaw and tunnels.
Security and Critical Infrastructure
Cellnex guarantees security alongside equipment, leveraging years of international experience in securing critical networks. Many of its facilities have advanced emergency power systems, maintaining network operation for dozens of hours during crises or power outages.
Its neutral approach to infrastructure, combined with an extensive fiber optic network (over 13,000 km) and base stations, allows it to optimally and securely serve both civilian and uniformed services.
PPDR Networks and Future Development
Cellnex operates a PPDR (dedicated network for uniformed services) in Catalonia and believes Poland, given its geostrategic importance, should have a modern, nationwide PPDR network.
The company’s infrastructure and experience could play a key role in establishing such a network across Poland.
Land Ownership and Investment
Following the example of investments in towers, Cellnex is also acquiring land where its infrastructure stands. The company already owns several hundred plots in Poland and is actively working to acquire more, mirroring its approach in other European countries.
Cybersecurity Law and Compliance
Cellnex’s three Polish companies have been designated as telecommunications entrepreneurs under the amended national cybersecurity law, placing them on the list of key entities.
The company is preparing to fully comply with the new obligations by April of next year.
Component Sourcing and Risk Mitigation
Cellnex is positioned to be less affected by the implementation of the cybersecurity law and the EU’s Digital Networks Act regarding Chinese infrastructure components, due to minimal exposure to high-risk suppliers compared to other mobile network owners.
Currently, its equipment contains no components from high-risk suppliers, as such entities are not yet defined under Polish law.
Fair Share and Big Tech Contributions
Cellnex believes Europe should create investment incentives allowing operators to achieve a fair market return on invested capital, potentially through changes to competition and merger regulations.
Supporting established players to increase investment while maintaining profitability would positively impact the entire economy.
Centimeter-Level Positioning Technology
Cellnex recently partnered with Point One Group for centimeter-level RTK positioning, enhancing GPS accuracy. RTK technology reduces the margin of error from several meters to just a few centimeters.
This precision is crucial for the future economy, enabling autonomous vehicles, precise drone deliveries, and increased automation in agriculture and construction.
AI and Digital Twins
Cellnex is undertaking one of the largest “Digital Twin” projects for its infrastructure in Europe, initially piloted in a country with a network half the size of its Polish operations.
The project utilizes artificial intelligence to predict potential problems and failures in infrastructure, enabling precise and cost-effective predictive maintenance.
Investment and Future Plans in Poland
Since entering the Polish market in 2021, Cellnex has invested 19 billion PLN, with nearly 6 billion PLN dedicated to infrastructure development.
The company intends to continue playing an active role in building Poland’s digital infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of world-class connectivity for sustainable economic development and reducing the digital divide.
Cellnex has launched 2,900 new locations in Poland, providing coverage to areas previously without mobile access or with insufficient quality.