Telecom towers: Balancing development imperatives and health concerns

With the opening up of the local telecommunications market in the 90s and the subsequent entrance of private telecom companies, especially mobile phone service providers, into the country, telecommunication facilities have ceased to be a luxury for average Sri Lankans. According to statistics, the number of cellular phone users in Sri Lanka had grown to 5.4 million by the end of 2006, while fixed-line subscribers have risen to 1.9 million.

While the liberalisation of the telecommunications market has definitely been beneficial to the country, a number of disadvantages of having multiple service providers have also transpired of late, one principle hazard being threats posed by telecommunication towers to public health.

As new telecom companies commence their operations in Sri Lanka, new towers have started mushrooming throughout the country, amounting to 3,200 towers in the country already. Although, in terms of international and loacl standards, only only one tower should be permitted within a radius of 500 metres, this guideline is not strictly adhered to by regulators or service providers.

Sometimes, the towers built are not properly earthed owing to high costs, thus creating a high risk for the inhabitants of the respective areas and their property being struck by lightening. For the same reasons, telecommunication towers have been a a frequent cause of litigation in different parts of the country, culminating in a recent verdict of the Kesbewa District Court that towers must be constructed in line with international standards.

As a result, the Government has taken several initiatives to address this problem, including the formulation of a set of guidelines for the erection of telecommunication towers which is currently open for public views. Measures are also underway to build a state-sponsored 250 metre common broadcast tower for telecom companies, television and radio stations.

What is the remedy for the hazards posed to public wellbeing by telecommunication towers? Is the construction of towers regulated properly and adequately? What are the standards to be adhered to in permitting the construction of towers ?

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