The tower became operational in December 1966 and was officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Alderman James S. Meadows, on 5 October 1967.

[6] The original intention was to build a circular tower similar to the London one but without the public floors above the aerial galleries.

Cost over-runs on the London tower led to a review of the Birmingham design, and then it was decided to use a circular design of the 'Chilterns' type as used at Stokenchurch, Charwelton, Pye Green, Sutton Common, Heaton Park and Tinshill radio stations, but with the internal diameter increased from 32 feet (9.8 m) to 37 feet (11 m) to provide sufficient space on the equipment floors.

The square design, as built, was proposed for aesthetic reasons by the Chief Architect of the Ministry of Public Building and Works.

A stable platform is necessary so that the microwave dishes mounted on the side of the structure keep line of sight with the remote transmitter they are communicating with.

The ability to lift dishes was dependent on the weather and to complicate matters, the steel rails only went to the bottom of the first aerial gallery.

In August 2003, the tower was painted an ultramarine blue to cover the existing light brown which had started to discolour.