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provisions for modifications to existing sites. An overview of base station planning requirements in
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Europe may be found on the GSMA website .
9.1.5 Decision periods
The procedures for antenna permits should specify the timelines in place for decisions to be made.
These should generally be similar to those for other similar types of physical infrastructure.

Some countries have adopted specific decision periods for wireless network antenna site proposals.
In a ruling known as the ‘shot‐clock’ rule, the USA FCC specifies that decisions must be made within
90 days for co‐location requests at an existing site and within 150 days for new sites. In case of
delays, the antenna operator can seek legal review. For some developments in England and Wales
(for example, ground based masts below 15 m and some rooftop developments), the authority must
make a decision within 56 days. If no decision is made, the operator can proceed on the basis that
the lack of response is a consent.
In no case should operators install antennas without meeting prior specific approval procedures of
the corresponding national, regional or municipal authority, as this will increase public concerns in
regards to antenna installations.

9.1.6 Independent appeals process

In some cases, members of the community or the antenna operator may not be satisfied with the
authority’s decision. A clear process should be defined for appeals to an independent authority as
well as the grounds to appeal. It is important for all parties that the decision‐making process is fair,
transparent and free from political influence. In some countries, judicial review of local authority
decisions is possible. In other countries, there are separate environment courts or the appeal may
be made to a relevant ministry.
In Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA courts have generally concluded that compliance
with national RF‐EMF limits is sufficient to address health concerns (Dolan et al., 2009).

9.2 Environmental impact assessment

This Technical Report limits the discussion of the environmental impact assessment to matters
related to the siting of the wireless network infrastructure. This section is based largely on the New
Zealand Ministry of the Environment’s ‘National Environmental Standards for Telecommunication
Facilities: Users’ Guide’ (Ministry of the Environment, 2009). This is a binding regulation and replaces
certain rules in district plans and by‐laws that affect the activities of telecommunications operators.
Every local authority and consent authority in New Zealand must observe national environmental
standards and must enforce the observance of national environmental standards to the extent their
powers enable them to do so.
Environmental impact assessment for telecommunication facilities may include:

 assessment of compliance with national RF‐EMF exposure limits in areas that are reasonably
accessible to the public;

 consideration of protection of vegetation, and historic, amenity and coastal areas;
 procedures for change of antennas and modifications to existing utility structures;

 restrictions on the size and location of telecommunication cabinets;

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17 http://www.gsma.com/publicpolicy/mobile‐and‐health/base‐station‐planning‐permission‐in‐europe

ITU‐T's Technical Reports and Specifications 631