Masts

We aim to comply with best practice standards on mast siting and to share our mast building plans with local authorities so that we can establish a dialogue early in the process.

We would not deliberately erect a mast without planning consent. Disputes do occasionally arise, however, over the validity of a planning consent, and in such cases we seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution with the local authority.

Occasionally disputes arise with local residents even when there is no debate over the validity of a planning consent, for example when the local authority fails to refuse an application within the statutory time limits. We always try to resolve the situation through dialogue both with the local authority and local residents.

Mast sharing

We aim to share mast sites with other operators wherever feasible.

Some of O2’s ground-based masts are capable of hosting equipment from other operators and we allow this where possible. But not all our masts will meet the coverage requirements of other operators’ networks.

Sharing a mast usually means increasing the height and size of the mast and this is not always acceptable to local residents or planning regulations. In addition, shared sites will generally mean higher and more concentrated emissions, although all sites, even if shared, would nevertheless comply with international guidelines.

In line with Government policy in the UK, it is standard practice to see if we can use an existing mast or structure when searching for a new base station site.

Industry co-operation 

O2 is committed to industry best practice in developing its mobile networks and we aim to be transparent in our network building plans.

Our approach – particularly in building new 3G services – launched in the UK over the last two years, is to encourage dialogue and consultation with stakeholders.

We work within GSM Europe (GSME) recommendations on best practice and the UK industry’s Ten Commitments on best siting practice.

Our commitments call for:

• Continuouimprovement in communication and consultation.
• Compliance with exposure guidelines.
• Increased site sharing s where possible.

We have a dedicated team of community relations officers whose job is to engage with local communities on our network building activities – especially if there is local opposition to a mast.  We attend public meetings, consult through drop-in sessions, distribute information and operate a dedicated helpline for enquiries: telephone 01753 564306.

Number of queries to Telefonica O2 UK on the siting of communications masts during 2007:

• Site objections pre-build (H&S, environmental issues and visual impact) – 997
• Land offer – 296
• Query non-complaint – 344
• Site objections post-build (H&S, environmental issues and visual impact) – 219
• Query wind farm proposal - 37

We aim to build our network with the least environmental impact as possible, including the visual effect of our masts.

At least once a year, we provide local planning authorities with lists of the sites we plan to develop in their communities over the coming 12 months. This helps them work with our community teams to address potential concerns.

Click here to access information on mobile operator base stations at the OFCOM Sitefinder database at www.ofcom.org.uk.

In the UK, the regulator Ofcom is appealing against a request by a third party to get permission, under the Freedom of Information Act, to access information in the entire Sitefinder database (above).

We fully agree that the information should be available in its current form, including data on base stations and smaller micro cells. But, like other mobile operators, we are concerned that our commercial interests will be adversely affected by the full database being made available - for example, the loss of competitive advantage as a result of competitors obtaining the details of our national network.