The Frauenkappeln mobile phone antenna project stands for the complete conversion of an existing mobile phone site. Between June and August 2026, the previous 28-meter-high antenna mast was dismantled and replaced by a new mast approximately 32 meters high. At the same time, the site received new 5G technology and was prepared for shared use by three providers.
The layout of the system also changed. The new antenna mast now stands where the equipment container used to be. The new equipment container was placed on the site of the old mast. During the conversion work, mobile network operations were largely maintained with three brief interruptions.
Space constraints determined the new location setup
The available space dictated how the mast and equipment could be arranged in the future. The new antenna mast is therefore located on the area previously occupied by the equipment container. The new equipment container was placed at the former location of the old mast.
To make this change possible, the foundation for the new antenna mast had to be built first. Its design was also adapted to the limited space available.
During the static verification, besides the new assignment of the mast, the wind load also played a role. After all, the new structure carries the mobile communications technology of three providers and, at around 32 meters, reaches a greater height than the previous 28-meter mast.
Two cuts for safe disassembly
Before the new site could be constructed, the old antenna mast had to be removed. This particular step in the process required a customized procedure.
The existing 28-meter mast consisted of nested mast sections. Due to the long-standing connection of the individual elements, it was difficult to estimate how they would detach from each other when lifted with the crane. A sudden movement could have triggered a strong swinging motion and thus endangered the crane operator.
The team therefore decided on controlled dismantling in smaller units. The existing mast was separated into three parts with two cuts. Afterwards, the individual sections could be lifted off one after the other and the mast completely dismantled.
At the same time, this cleared the area where the new equipment container could later be placed.
Frauenkappeln mobile phone antenna is growing to around 32 meters
Due to its height, the new antenna mast was delivered in four parts. On the construction site, the individual mast segments were assembled step by step until the intended height of around 32 meters was reached.
With the new mast, the technical configuration of the site also changed. Three providers now share the structure. During the upgrade, the mobile communications antennas and other technical components were replaced by a new generation and configured for 5G.
Our Telekom team took care of the installation of the technical equipment. This included, among other things, the antennas, the corresponding cabinets, and Remote Radio Units (RRUs). Afterward, the components were wired and the system was put into operation.
From the foundation and pole installation to the cabling, every single work step had to be coordinated with the existing site and its operations.
Three short interruptions during the renovation
While a new location can be built on an open site, work on the Frauenkappeln mobile phone antenna took place in the middle of an existing facility.
The company was therefore involved in the planning of the individual work steps. Overall, there were three interruptions during the project period. They each lasted approximately half a day to a maximum of one day and were related, among other things, to the relocation of the technical container and the necessary switchovers.
A temporary antenna system for the transition period was unnecessary due to the overlapping cellular coverage in the surrounding area. As a result, coverage could be maintained during the individual conversion phases through the existing network coverage.
This allowed work on the mast and technology to be carried out parallel to ongoing mobile network operations over large parts of the project.
Up to ten employees on site at the same time
During the most intense construction phase, up to ten employees were working at the site simultaneously. Work on the mast, the technical equipment, and the existing infrastructure took place concurrently in a confined space.
The location of the site also had to be taken into account during assembly. Signage and a traffic control service were set up for the corresponding work. This allowed the assembly work and the necessary movements around the site to be coordinated.
After the construction of the new antenna mast, the technical equipment was installed with the new components. Installation, cabling, and commissioning marked the completion of the conversion work.
Today, an antenna mast approximately 32 meters high stands in Frauenkappelen, combining the mobile communications technology of three providers at a shared location.
If you want to get an overview of mobile radio transmission masts in Switzerland, you can find a map of the transmitter locations at the Federal Office of Communications BAKOM. The Federal Office for the Environment FOEN provides further information on how mobile communications and 5G work.
