Capital in Progress: 5 Costly Mistakes MNOs Make (And How to Avoid Them)

Optimizing Infrastructure Investments for Faster, More Predictable Returns

For Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), capital in progress (CIP) represents a critical phase in network expansion and upgrades. Every delay, cost overrun, or inefficiency in this process directly impacts return on investment (ROI), cash flow, and overall competitiveness. Yet too many MNOs fall into the same costly traps – missteps that stall network upgrades, inflate CAPEX, and introduce unnecessary risk.

By leveraging digitization, automation, and AI-driven insights, MNOs can eliminate these inefficiencies and ensure faster, smoother, and more cost-effective network expansions. The solutions are already clear, and MNOs around the world are rapidly adopting them – those who hesitate risk falling behind in an increasingly competitive market. 

Here are five common CIP mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Relying on Outdated or Incomplete Infrastructure Data

The Problem:

MNOs increasingly face challenges in maintaining accurate infrastructure records, especially following the shift of tower ownership to TowerCos. Many MNOs initiate projects without a clear and current understanding of their existing infrastructure. Site conditions, equipment status, and available capacity are often based on outdated records or incomplete data, leading to flawed planning assumptions.

The Impact:

• Delays and Budget Overruns: Inaccurate data results in costly site visits, last-minute redesigns, and procurement changes.
• Operational Inefficiencies: Network planners and engineers waste time reconciling discrepancies between As-Built and As-Planned conditions.

How to Avoid It:

Digital Twin technology provides an always-accurate representation of infrastructure, enabling MNOs to verify conditions before work begins. 

Automated drone surveys can be performed much more quickly and inexpensively than traditional methods, limiting the requirements for complicated access and multiple staff visits. This enables tower companies and MNOs to perform more complete portfolio surveys more often, resulting in accurate and easily shared data – a single source of truth about what exists in the field that stakeholders can work with. 

By eliminating guesswork, network teams can execute projects with confidence, reducing delays and preventing unnecessary expenses. Real-world examples, such as Phoenix Tower International’s use of vHive’s digital twin technology, show how enhanced infrastructure visibility can improve decision-making, streamline operations, and maximize site utilization.

2. Miscalculating CAPEX Due to Unverified Site Conditions

The Problem:

CAPEX budgets are often built on assumptions rather than verified reality. When site conditions aren’t fully captured early on, unexpected issues arise – requiring additional labor, materials, redesigns, and scope changes.

The Impact:

• Disrupted Cash Flow: Unplanned costs force reallocation of budgets, delay other projects, and erode financial predictability.
• Delayed Network Rollouts: Expansion plans slow down as financial overruns require additional approvals or adjustments.

How to Avoid It:

By using Digital Twins for early, precise site validation, MNOs replace guesswork with real-world intelligence. Automated data capture and AI-powered analysis allow network teams to uncover critical issues, such as equipment misalignments, missing components, or access problems, before construction begins.

By identifying discrepancies between As-Planned designs and As-Built conditions early, MNOs can prevent costly rework, unexpected expenses, and delays – helping maintain financial discipline in their CIP processes and keeping project budgets and timelines on track.

3. Underestimating Delays Caused by As-Built vs. As-Planned Discrepancies

The Problem:

Project designs rarely account for real-world deviations, leading to unexpected challenges when construction teams arrive on-site. Without prior validation, these discrepancies cause major setbacks.

The Impact:

• General Contractors (GCs) Struggle to Adapt: Unforeseen site conditions require new design approvals, delaying construction timelines.
• Rework Costs Increase: Revisions to infrastructure or network components drive up project expenses.

How to Avoid It:

Cutting-edge on-site validation technology enables MNOs to confirm installed changes in real time, reducing costly last-minute surprises. Many MNOs struggle with inefficient site change request processes, where siloed communication and outdated records create delays stretching into months. By automating the validation process and ensuring site conditions match design expectations, MNOs can eliminate bottlenecks and accelerate network rollouts. 

Digitized infrastructure intelligence ensures network plans reflect the true site conditions, allowing for proactive problem-solving instead of reactive corrections.

4. Inefficient Site Verification Processes Leading to Project Delays

The Problem:

Many MNOs rely on manual, fragmented, and time-consuming site audits to verify project progress and compliance. These outdated processes slow down rollouts and extend the timeline to revenue.

The Impact:

• Bottlenecks in Network Deployment: Slow verification processes delay site approvals, , extend the timeline to revenue, and slow overall rollouts.
• Lost Competitive Advantage: While competitors accelerate rollouts with streamlined processes, traditional MNOs fall behind.

How to Avoid It:

Autonomous inspections with digital capture streamline verification, enabling rapid, accurate site assessments without relying on external surveyors or multiple field visits. By digitizing site verification, MNOs can accelerate approvals, reduce delays, and move from construction to activation faster than traditional manual workflows allow.

5. Missing Revenue Opportunities During Site Upgrades and Expansions

The Problem:

MNOs often focus purely on deployment timelines, overlooking opportunities to optimize site upgrades — whether by adding new technologies (like 5G layers), expanding capacity for future services, or maximizing infrastructure investments during the process.

The Impact:

• Underutilized Infrastructure: Valuable site space, mount configurations, and upgrade opportunities remain untapped, limiting network performance and delaying time-to-market for new services.

How to Avoid It:

Digitized asset management ensures MNOs have a full, accurate view of existing site conditions and available upgrade paths. By using Digital Twins to plan smarter expansions, MNOs can maximize the efficiency and profitability of every site upgrade – improving service delivery, accelerating network enhancements, and avoiding costly missed opportunities.

Smarter CIP Management is the Key to Faster ROI

MNOs can no longer afford inefficiencies, delays, and unanticipated costs in their capital in progress (CIP) processes. By embracing digitization, automation, and AI-powered site intelligence, they can transform infrastructure investments into predictable, high-ROI opportunities – without disrupting the operational workflows they rely on.

How vHive Helps:

At vHive, we empower MNOs with cutting-edge solutions that seamlessly integrate into existing processes – enhancing planning, accelerating deployments, and preventing costly mistakes. Our platform is purpose-built for MNO realities: from Digital Twin technology to AI-driven site intelligence, we deliver smarter, faster, and more cost-efficient network expansions while helping MNOs maintain full operational control and financial discipline.

vHive’s solutions are developed directly in response to the real-world challenges our customers face – not just observing industry problems, but actively solving them with technology that fits how MNO teams work every day.

Ready to unlock the full potential of your infrastructure investments?

Request a demo today to see how AI-powered site intelligence can transform your network planning and execution.

Or explore our latest eBook on how MNOs are utilizing digital twins effectively with vHive’s solutions.