Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you're exploring colocation, considering a new build, or just getting familiar with the program, here are answers to the questions we hear most. Don't see yours? Contact our team and we'll be glad to help.

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About the Program

  • The State of Michigan Tower Program provides carriers, wireless internet service providers (WISPs), government entities, and public safety organizations with access to tower space across the state. Managed by Pyramid Network Services, the program offers colocation on 270 existing state-owned towers and build-to-suit development on 4.6 million acres of state land.

  • More than 270 towers are available for colocation through the program. These active towers are owned by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Michigan Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS), and many were originally built tall to carry emergency-services communications across large areas.

  • The portfolio includes more than 140 towers exceeding 400 feet in height. Because these towers were originally built for wide-area emergency-services communications, they give colocation tenants a broad range of RAD center heights to choose from for optimal coverage.

  • The towers and land are owned by the State of Michigan — primarily through the Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Michigan Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS). Pyramid Network Services manages colocation and new development on the state's behalf.

Colocation & Build-to-Suit

  • Tower colocation is the practice of placing equipment from multiple wireless providers on a single existing tower. It lets carriers, WISPs, and other providers expand network coverage without building new infrastructure — reducing both deployment time and cost while improving service for end users.

  • A build-to-suit tower is a new tower constructed specifically to meet a tenant's coverage or capacity needs when existing towers can't. Through the program, build-to-suit sites can be developed on 4.6 million acres of available state-owned land, including DNR forest land and MDOT highway right-of-ways.

  • If our portfolio of 270 towers can't meet your needs, our land can. The program offers 4.6 million acres of state-owned land for new site builds — so when colocation isn't the right fit, a build-to-suit tower can be developed to meet your coverage goals.

  • Yes. In addition to traditional colocation and new tower builds, the program supports CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) and DAS (Distributed Antenna System) installations for tenants with specialized coverage and capacity needs.

  • The program maintains an ArcGIS mapping tool showing all locations where a tower can be built — 7,225 square miles, or 4.6 million acres in total. To explore options, you can request a coverage map: share your coverage goals and the team will return several site options that meet your objectives. Email the team to get started.

Program Participation

  • The program serves wireless carriers, wireless internet service providers (WISPs), government entities, and public safety organizations. MiDEAL cooperative purchasing members are also welcome. Any of these can colocate on existing towers or develop new build-to-suit sites on state land.

  • The program welcomes collaboration with tower companies that need to develop sites. To get started, use the contact form at the bottom of this page or email the team directly at misites@pyramidns.com.

  • Yes. The program actively works with rural broadband providers and education-based providers, not just commercial carriers. For WISPs, the tower portfolio and access to state land provide the elevation and positioning needed to deliver fixed wireless broadband to underserved rural communities.

Applying & The Process

  • To apply, click the 'Submit an Application' button and complete all requested information. You'll receive a confirmation email once the team reviews your application. We recommend connecting with the program team first for a brief conversation about your coverage goals — it helps ensure a smoother process from the start.

  • The process has three main stages. First, you identify a tower or land area of interest and submit an application. Upon pre-approval, Pyramid orders a Structural Analysis (SA) and iMODS, and drafts a lease agreement (or, for existing colocations, an amendment to the Site Lease Agreement). Finally, the agreement is routed for execution, and once fully executed, a Notice to Proceed (NTP) is issued.

  • Costs and timelines depend on the site and scope of work, but the program is built for transparency: Pyramid communicates expected costs and timelines upfront and tracks each application end-to-end. This predictability is designed to increase speed-to-market and help tenants meet their on-air dates.

Still Have Questions?

Our team is here to help you understand your options and find the right path to your coverage goals.

Prefer to ask first? Contact the program team or email misites@pyramidns.com.

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