The social resistance due to concerns about radiation does not currently cause major problems for providers in finding places for new transmission masts. This is the conclusion of regulator ACM. Moreover, not so many new places for transmission towers are needed.
The new environmental law which will take effect on January 1, 2023may in the future result in concerned citizens more often blocking applications for cell tower locations, says ACM. “This could lead to stricter requirements imposed by municipalities for obtaining a permit. This could make it more difficult to develop and develop new locations.
to use.”
On the other hand, it could also become easier for providers to submit applications for new locations and get them approved, says ACM. The Association of Dutch Municipalities and the Telecom Agency are working on a standard policy for municipalities, so that municipalities know what they can ask of providers and providers know what to expect from municipalities. “ACM expects that this will also lead to communication and coordination in permit processes between MNOs and municipalities improving in the long term. This could actually make it easier to develop a new location.”
While providers in 2019 thought they would need about 1500 new locations for cell towers in the 1920s, ACM believes, based on an independent study, that the number will be much lower. For example, after the 2020 auction, providers applied for an exemption from the coverage requirements of that auction eight times. Such an exemption is possible if providers cannot find a place to place cell towers. This indicates that they were able to meet the coverage requirements well. In addition, there are more options for providers to share locations for cell towers.
ACM conducted the investigation because providers had said they were afraid there would be too few places for 5G cell towers. As a result, they are afraid that the prices for those places would rise sharply. In response, ACM says that these concerns are not justified and sees no reason to intervene.