A small cell that fails carrier acceptance costs a second truck roll, a re-test and weeks of schedule. This is the checklist we run before we call any site done — so it passes the first time.
The five checks
- Power & backhaul under load. Not “powers on” — holds spec while the radio actually transmits at rated output.
- Azimuth and tilt against the RFDS. Degrees, measured, photographed with the compass in frame.
- Sweep & PIM within spec, recorded. Traces saved with the site ID in the filename, not on someone’s phone.
- Alarms clear and remote access confirmed. If the NOC can’t see it, it isn’t done.
- Closeout photo package complete. Every connection, every label, every torque mark — taken during the work.
Why the paperwork matters
Carrier acceptance is a documents game. A clean, standardized package gets reviewed and approved fast; a messy one sits in a queue while your on-air date slides. Sites that pass first-time get paid first-time — and crews that produce clean packages get the next batch of sites.
Written by VORC Field Operations · April 2026← All posts