I have worked in the telecommunications sector for 20 years. Even so, it is still surprisingly common for a single site to involve several different operators, even though the whole could be delivered through one provider. When many parties are involved, the work easily becomes reactive: only what is specifically requested gets done. That drives up costs, makes resource management more difficult and ultimately weakens reliability of delivery.

In critical infrastructure, control of the whole builds trust. When work is planned and predictable, we can focus on quality and safety.

A proactive way of working saves money, resources and emissions

There is no shortage of work in telecommunications networks. Data centres need connections. Operators are investing in fibre construction and renewing ageing mast infrastructure. Fibre networks, fast wireless connections and modern mast infrastructure are also essential for the smooth functioning of businesses and society.

As a partner to operators, we at Enersense also have a responsibility to keep developing the way we work. When we work in a more systematic way, we improve efficiency and help our customers reach their targets, including emissions reductions.

Based on the Marjaniemi mast pilot, we saw that construction was completed faster, unnecessary travel between stages was reduced, and the site placed less strain on the residential area and the surrounding environment. From our side, the pilot required only a more proactive approach with the customer, and even from a single trial we learned how to make the work smoother and higher in quality in the future.

A more systematic way of working improves employee wellbeing

In our Connectivity Business Unit, we have spent the past two years ambitiously developing our field work processes. When the whole chain works in a planned and transparent way, work progresses in a controlled and cost-efficient manner.

One practical change in our operations has been the expansion of digitalisation across our processes. Our new digital field service management model increases transparency throughout the chain. When the status of a construction project is visible to both Enersense employees and the customer, there are fewer surprises. Better predictability reduces urgency and creates a safer everyday working environment. In one service process, we succeeded in improving the speed of work order invoicing by as much as 70 per cent on average.

Systematic planning is not only about efficiency or cost savings. The change also affects the everyday work of our field installers. Our people now have a much clearer picture of what the next day will bring. Deviations are spotted early. Work is no longer about constantly putting out fires, but about continuous improvement. I believe that makes us an even more attractive employer.

By nature, I am systematic and tend to optimise anything that can be approached in a standardised way, so I am genuinely enthusiastic about improving the way we work. The more standardised the process, the more room we have to think differently and develop new solutions for customers, such as the one in Marjaniemi. That is how predictability becomes a competitive advantage for us.