How Treated Wood Utility Poles Can Transform Telecom Infrastructure

Wood utility poles need to be able to withstand the harshest of elements: strong winds, pests, the hot sun, floods, and other conditions that would otherwise tarnish the wood. Thankfully, Bell Structural Solutions offers treatments for every species of wood to keep each structure like-new for decades. Because of this, treated utility poles are the perfect option for telecom industries looking to expand their 5G networks efficiently and affordably.

What are treated poles?

Because wood utility poles are subject to the harshest of conditions, preservatives must be applied to the poles to protect them from the elements. When treatments are applied to properly treated and maintained wood poles, they can last up to 100 years. Bell Structural Solutions has experts who can recommend treatment types depending on the species of wood used for a utility pole project.

Why Treated Wood Poles Are Best for Telecom Applications

Treated wood poles offer a greener, more sustainable alternative to steel utility poles. Treated wood poles reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. According to New Steel Construction and the EPA’s greenhouse gas calculator, when 2,000 treated wood utility poles are purchased, the equivalent of 460,000 gallons of gas are saved due to the reduction of carbon emissions.

Treated wood poles are also more affordable. Telecom companies can save up to 42% by choosing to expand their 5G networks with treated wood utility poles as opposed to steel. Lastly, treated wood poles will get to your site faster. Wood structures offer average lead times of just six to eight weeks, while steel poles can take up to 20 weeks or more to arrive at your site.

Utility Pole Wood Treatment Options

There are several treatment options for wood utility poles, most of which are dependent on wood species. Different wood species also carry their own line capacities, length capacities, and pole classes. A pole’s capacity also differs within each species, depending on if it’s a transmission pole or a distribution pole.