Can I Plan a Site Without Visiting the Area?

Yes, you can plan a Silvanet deployment without visiting the site by using the Silvanet Planning Tool, but it’s always best practice to visit when possible.
A site visit provides valuable, real-world information that maps and satellite images can’t reveal, helping ensure your plan is both accurate and field-ready.

Why a Site Visit Matters

An on-site assessment helps you verify map data, understand local conditions, and identify factors that can affect connectivity and installation.

During a visit, you can:

• Identify obstacles such as large rocks, dense vegetation, or structures not visible on maps that may block connectivity.

• Evaluate accessibility to ensure personnel can safely reach planned installation areas.

• Note high human-use or high-risk zones (e.g., trails, campsites, past fire areas) that may require sensor prioritization.

• Confirm tree strength and health for securely mounting Border Gateways or sensors.

See also: Scouting and Evaluating Deployment Locations

Planning Without a Site Visit

If a site visit isn’t possible, planning can still be done effectively using remote tools and available data.

When planning remotely:

• Use the Silvanet Planning Tool

• Import KML, KMZ, or shapefiles to visualize site boundaries and critical areas.

• Add detailed notes in your plan to highlight potential risks or areas for later verification.

• Share your draft plan with local teams or field contacts for review before finalizing.

See also: Site Planning Preparation Checklist

Risks of Remote-Only Planning

Planning without a site visit can introduce uncertainties:

• Unseen obstacles may cause signal degradation or require re-positioning devices.

• Access challenges may delay installation or require additional resources.

• Vegetation density may affect mesh performance or solar exposure.

Whenever possible, confirm uncertain areas in person before installation.

Connectivity Considerations

If your site relies on cellular connectivity, remote estimation has limitations.

• LTE-M or NB-IoT coverage cannot be directly tested in the Planning Tool.

• Check LTE-M or NB-IoT coverage maps from Telit (Gen 2), Telus (Gen 3), or your local provider if using your own LTE-M or NB-IoT, enabled SIM.

• If coverage is unclear, plan a short pre-deployment connectivity test to confirm signal strength before installation.

See also: Checking Mobile Connectivity Before Site Planning: Why It Matters

Summary

You can plan remotely, but in-person validation remains the most reliable way to ensure smooth deployment.
A short site visit early in the process can save time, reduce risks, and help confirm power, connectivity, and accessibility for a stable Silvanet network.