DUBLIN, Ireland-While other European countries wrestle with the dilemma of how to accommodate the new base stations and masts required for third-generation (3G) networks when objections to such developments have never been more vociferous, it seems the Swedes may have found an answer.
Vodafone, Orange and Hi3G have claimed that planning and managing sites is slowing down the development of suitable infrastructure. Now they have reached an agreement with local authority body Svenska Kommunforbundet to create an equal partnership for the development and maintenance of 3G sites.
The operators will have responsibility for ensuring “the general public is not exposed to electromagnetic fields that exceed applicable threshold limits,” which they hope will persuade local authorities to lease land to them.
This agreement is also a sign that the operators have finally accepted the need to reach agreement on sharing infrastructure to minimize the number of new sites required because the deal stipulates that, wherever possible, capacity on masts should be shared between more than one operator.
“We are delighted with the outcome, which benefits, facilitates and simplifies the expansion of the 3G networks in Sweden,” a statement from the parties said. “We hope that the agreement will facilitate local negotiations regarding leasing in municipalities.”
