FEATURE OF COMMUNICATION

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Telecommunication and especially mobile communication is today an
indispensable tool for every day use in business and social transactions, such that
it has turned out to be the fastest growing industry in Tanzania, contributing
significantly to the national economy.
The mobile communication systems were introduced in Tanzania way back in the
1980s starting with only two companies (Mobitel and Tritel), operating basically
in a few areas in the country. Todate there are more than six companies, with
operations spread all over the country. Each operator is striving to improve
services and undertake expansions aiming at attracting and reaching customers
wherever they can be found throughout the country.
Time has seen developement of communication networks with masts placed amid
settlements, on top of buildings, in conservation areas and at apparently any
location deemed to be technically suitable to offer the desired communication
coverage for a specific operator system. Such activities have not gone without
permits.
The requirement for EIA certificates which became legally binding in July 2005,
when the Environmental Management Act Cap 191, became operational has not
been complied with adequately. Thus environmental aspects and stakeholders
concerns which should be considered in deciding the locations of masts have been
ignored or not satisfactorily addressed. That has lead to public outcries expressing
fears and disapproval of the manner in which such developments were being
executed. The Council (NEMC) has been receiving complaints and pleas to
intervene and come to the rescue of those who feel they were not secure living
with the masts.
2.0 FEATURES OF COMMUNICATION MASTS PROJECTS
Establishment and expansion of GSM & CDMA Networks involve construction
of communication masts of different types at different locations, and also
installation of transmission and support equipment.
Each mast is normally fenced and provided with an electricity generator and
control equipment placed inside a cubicle or container; as well as equipment for
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transmitting signals. The site where a mast is located needs to be accessed through
existing roads, otherwise establishment of new access gets involved.
Wherever masts are erected, they become a dominant feature due to their structure
configuration, height, colours and lights (for warning/safety purpose), thus their
siting need to be carefully decided upon. Basically, the siting of masts is
determined by the market potential for the intended business and the technology a
particular provider/operator is using. Therefore the environmental and social
issues that may be encountered for different masts could either be similar or differ
considerably depending on location, adopted technology and the involved work
scope (see photo below) .
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ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH
COMMUNICATION MASTS
Environmental concerns associated with masts include among other things, the
following:
a) Noise and gaseous emmissions from the electricity generators
b) Opening access to areas of conservation importance
c) Effects on the aesthetic aspects of an area, e.g. disruption of scenic view of
the locality due to mast protrussion, colours, configuration and lighting
d) Potential for emission of harmful rays; this depends on the technology
employed for the communication facilities installed on towers
e) Potential for interference with other systems like television and radio
reception
f) Haphazard location and multiplication of such structures within the same
locality or area, that arouses fears and concerns on the multiplicity of
associated potential direct and cumulative negative impacts
g) Land acquisition for and community acceptance of such structures are
issues that require careful attention in the planning of these developments,
so as to avoid conflicts with key stakeholders
4.0 LEGAL FRAMEWORK
4.1 The Environmental Legal Framework
Until recently, the TCRA has been responsible for granting licences for
installation and operating telecommunication systems. Other clearances include
land and business permits from the Local Government Authorities. However, the
environmental dimension became a basic necessity after putting in place the
environmental law, i.e. the Environmental Management Act (EMA) Cap 191
(operational since the 1st July 2005) and the subsequent Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) and Audit Regulations, 2005. According to the EIA and Audit
Regulations, 2005, installation and expansion of communication towers fall
under the category of projects for which EIA is mandatory.
4.2 Other Legal Frameworks
Considering the fact that all types of technologies are used in the communications
area, potential for use of obsolete technology exist whereby limits for dangerous
rays emmissions may not be observed. Thus, the Tanzania Atomic Energy
Commission (TAEC) need to be involved to provide guidance on how safeguard
against that can be ensured.
4.3 Need to observe regulations
There are regulations and standards that govern specific environmental aspects
that have to be observed or with which there should be compliance by all
providers.
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Such standards could for instance include limits of noise emission: Residential
areas: < 45 dBA for night time and, < 55 dBA for day time; and <70 dBA for
industrial areas, at all times (This is in accordance with the WB’s Pollution
prevention and abatement handbook guidelines).
For radiation safety, the guidelines most widely accepted in industry for the
assessment of radiation compliance are set and maintained by ICNIRP (the
International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection).
5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE
5.1 New Projects
The EMA Cap 191 and EIA and Regulations, 2005 specify the Environmental
Impact Assessment and Audit Regulations, requirements and process. That must
be followed. In the absence of a strategic environmental assessment identifying
appropriate locations for communication masts in the country and specifying cases
where EIA (including social impact assessment) may or may not be required, each
mast should in principle be considered as an independent project, of which a
separate environmental assessment would need to be conducted. Some masts will
need full EIAs and for some, depending on location, only preliminary
environmental assessments (PEA) may be required. A group of masts may be
assessed as a single project depending on how they are geographically located.
In view of the above, it is important to take cognisance of the key time-frames for
the EIA process, and how that can affect the progress of these projects.
5.2 Ongoing Projects
For all ongoing projects, the Law and its subsequent Regulations state that they
should be subjected to Environmental Audits
6.0 COMMUNICATION MASTS/TOWER PROJECTS STATUS IN
TANZANIA
a) Over 4,000 masts are in operation in the country without having been
subjected to EIA
b) Over 1,000 masts had been planned without prior consultation with NEMC
a. More than 30% are at different stages of implementation
b. Over 60% at planning stage
7.0 CHALLENGES
a) The increasing trend of investors in the business is alarming
b) A Master Plan for Communication masts/towers is not in place in Tanzania.
c) Each operator is poised to put in place a network he owns 100% implying a
fallout into a mushroom of masts, impairing amenity values greatly and
increasing potential for health risks
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d) A normal EIA process has a time-frame, that may impact badly on the
investment already committed (table); a resolve is required on how the process
can be shortened for the already submitted projects
duration for establishment of even an extensive network can be very short
indeed, as compared to the time-frame for the EIA process, and the involved
amount of investment
e) Complaints from communities have been raised with regard to the allocation
of towers’ sites and the criteria followed
f) Developers are not willing to share the masts as each service provider prefers
to own mast independently
8.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
From the foregoing discussions, it is recommended that:
i.Mobile communication providers, who own operating projects should be
required within specific time-frame to undertake initial environmental
audits for their projects and obtain respective clearance from the Council.
ii.For ongoing projects, developers should be required to develop and submit
respective environmental management and monitoring plans for approval
by the Council, and undertake initial environmental audit within two years
after commissioning the projects.
iii.All new projects should be subjected to environmental assessment as per law
iv.The Council, in colaboration with the DOE, TCRA and the TAEC should
develop a checklist for environmental assessment for communication
masts, as well as forms for respective EMPs and MPs.
v.The DOE, TCRA, Ministry of Infrastructure, NEMC and the MRA&LGA
should urgently develop guidelines for mobile communication networks
development. In this regard, the Minister responsible for environment
needs to ask the Lead Sector Ministry to initiate the guidelines formulation
process as early as possible.
vi.Communication masts sharing should become an enforceable condition for
such developments, and the responsible Ministry should begin processes
for relevant legislations to be established.
vii.City and town plans should be subjected to strategic environmental assessment
(SEA) with a view to establishing suitable placing of infra-structural
facilities, including communication masts.