Editor’s note: Originally published in July 2023 by SSP Innovations under SSP SPANS. Updated in 2025 by the 3-GIS Team with the current product name, 3-GIS | SPANS, and other revisions.
Joint use management is uniquely suited to the cloud. With growing demands on pole space and increasing regulatory oversight, utilities need tools that keep work organized, documented, and efficient. A cloud-based solution, like 3-GIS | SPANS, keeps communication clear and records consistent.
The challenge of joint use
Joint use is designed to be cost neutral. Regulatory agencies mandate a 0% margin for pole owners. Still, pole owners carry the weight of regulatory oversight, potential litigation, and liability tied to design or construction deficiencies. It’s why many joint use conferences dedicate significant time to legal updates and case reviews.
At the same time, joint use workloads only continue to grow. Billions of federal dollars for broadband expansion are increasing the demand for pole space. Yet many departments face shrinking headcounts and are expected to do more with fewer resources. The $42.45 billion BEAD program and other federal funds are riding on timely pole attachment. Delays in permitting, cost uncertainty, and state-by-state variation create additional risks for utilities and providers.1
Why the cloud fits
Cloud-based joint use management helps departments take on more work without adding stress to staff. A shared system gives all parties access to correspondence, design documents, and event dates in one place, reducing disputes and keeping projects moving. With 3-GIS | SPANS, utilities also gain a secure and convenient way to share information in the cloud, avoiding the overhead of on-premises systems while improving accountability across every step of the process.
Web-based products such as SPANS require minimal IT support:
- No software installation
- No firewall changes or additional security measures
- Compatibility with existing web security systems
Cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) further enhance security and reliability with enterprise-grade infrastructure built in.
Proven results
SPANS migrated from on-premises servers to the cloud in 2016. Since then, adoption has consistently grown, with more than 1,000 users across power and telecom companies logging in each month. The move to the cloud has simplified security audits, reduced IT overhead, and improved overall reliability.
That shift reflects a broader industry trend. Utilities and communications providers alike are moving to the cloud to lower costs and deliver services more efficiently.
The bottom line
Cloud-based joint use management is about making the work more manageable. By giving every party the same information, reducing IT overhead, and keeping records consistent, tools like 3-GIS | SPANS turn what has long been a source of risk and friction into a process utilities and telecom providers can handle with confidence.
Citations:
1 Pew Charitable Trusts. “Broadband Expansion May Hinge on States’ Processes for Attaching Lines to Utility Poles.” March 6, 2025. https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2025/03/broadband-expansion-may-hinge-on-states-processes-for-attaching-lines-to-utility-poles
