An aerial installation needs a space to house telecommunications equipment.

This equipment provides the radio signals to be transmitted from the aerials, and processes the signals received by the aerials. This equipment also connects the base station to the core communications network.

The space (or plant room) used for this equipment does not necessarily have to be a single room, but ideally, it should be as close as possible to the aerial system so that only short cable runs are needed between the telecommunications equipment and the aerials.

Space in a tower or spire can be ideal, but this is not always possible. Other options include using a vacant room or space within the church; or in an attached, or nearby outbuilding, (perhaps the boiler room); or providing a new shelter on available land near to the church building. In the latter case, care is taken to design an inconspicuous building.

The space required for plant can range from a few square meters for a small installation, to perhaps 20 square meters or more for a large installation accommodating several operators. Care is also taken in the designs to ensure efficient dissipation of the heat produced by the telecommunications equipment.

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