If you’ve ever had an ILA site miss its go-live date, you know the pain: red tape, missed permits, cost creep, and crews waiting on the green light. These compact but mission-critical shelters keep data and AI workloads moving between markets—and every delay ripples across an entire network build.
Here are five mistakes we see most often and how to stay ahead of them.
1. Picking the wrong patch of land
Not all available land is buildable. Flood zones, soil types, or power limitations can turn a “cheap” site into a six-figure headache.
How to avoid it: Factor in constructability, not just availability. A partner who understands topography, utilities, and access can save weeks before construction even starts.
2. Permitting takes longer than the build
One missing document or unclear jurisdiction can add months of delay.
How to avoid it: Engage permitting experts early, especially in rural municipalities. Pre-validated land and relationships with local authorities are worth their weight in gold.
3. Capacity & power planning gaps
Many projects stall when real load requirements exceed what was designed.
How to avoid it: Validate fiber strand capacity, design, and power needs before site work begins, including generator, AC/DC systems, and grounding. Design-build integration helps avoid immediate upgrades or expansion on just-completed sites.
4. Site logistics left to chance
Crane paths, trenching routes, or fiber handoffs often aren’t clear until crews are onsite—by then, every fix costs time and money.
How to avoid it: Use experienced project managers who coordinate civil, fiber, and shelter vendors in parallel, not sequentially.
5. The “handoff gap” between trades
Even when civil, fiber, and inside plant work are done well, handoffs can slip through the cracks and add days to the schedule.
How to avoid it: Partner with a single integrator who can own the process end-to-end from site acquisition to inside fit-out and turn-up.
Get it built right. On schedule. Every time.
Network Connex builds and delivers ILA shelters that keep data and AI moving—safely, efficiently, and without rework.
Build your next ILA right.