Our commitment to responsible deployment

Mobile phones and the community

Mobile phones have become part of our everyday life. The convenience of being able to communicate with who you want, when you want, from where you want has become part of our modern lifestyle. Mobile phones have become so popular that we need to keep upgrading and expanding our facilities. Vodafone is committed to maintaining excellent coverage and quality service, particularly in high usage areas. To do so, we need to look at ways to add additional network infrastructure, including additional base stations.

Vodafone takes a careful and considered approach in selecting locations for our base stations and to providing a reliable mobile communications network, without compromise to the community and, its safety.

Our commitment to responsible deployment

As part of our global commitment to responsible deployment, Vodafone applies the principles of safe systems, consultation and sensitive environmental planning, good design and environmental protection to all its base station network development and operations.

Commitment to base station safety

Community health and safety is paramount to Vodafone. Vodafone strictly adheres to all the National guidelines and standards relating to mobile phones and mobile infrastructure, including base stations.

Vodafone applies a strict policy of building and operating its base stations well within the limits of National health and safety standards, applying the objective of minimising electromagnetic energy (EME) whilst meeting service requirements. Exposure levels for both existing and proposed base stations are available to the public.

Commitment to consultation and sensitive environmental planning

Vodafone is committed to ongoing consultation and sensitive environmental planning. This commitment is reflected in Vodafone's support of the development of the ACIF 'Code for the Deployment of Mobile Phone Network Infrastructure'. This Code was developed to increase the transparency and accountability of carriers and develop increased consultation with the community on the placement of base stations and other network infrastructure.

The Code ensures you can have your say when mobile phone base stations are to be installed in your area. The Code also sets out what you can do if you have a complaint about a mobile base station, or a phone carrier's adherence to the Code. A copy of the Code can be obtained from the Australian Communications and Media Authority http://emr.acma.gov.au/code.htm or ACIF's www.acif.org.au/documents/codes and scroll down to C564_2004.

When Vodafone advertises base station proposals, relevant contact details are clearly marked. This information ensures your enquiry will be responded to directly by the field team working on the project.

Vodafone's approach to improving services in an area involves an overall network deployment plan, a thorough assessment to identify options that are environmentally prudent, and a documented consultation plan designed to include relevant stakeholders who may be affected by an individual proposal.

Vodafone is committed to communicating proposals to the public, including reasons for any preferred option. Vodafone welcomes all submissions and examines all issues raised. Vodafone endeavours to respond promptly to any community concerns. Where we can we will make adjustments to proposals as we believe that the best outcomes are achieved when we work together and local input is considered.

Commitment to good design

When formulating proposals for base station siting and design, Vodafone undertakes a thorough assessment in order to identify the most environmentally friendly solution. This process involves assessing:

• the impact of a proposed facility design on existing land uses
• specialist consultant advice as to the likely environmental impact of siting proposals
• regulatory requirements of Commonwealth, State and Local authorities and compliance with relevant standards
• the minimum size and type of structure required for achieving network planning objectives

In order to meet these objectives, Vodafone aims to use existing buildings and structures. Where possible, we will use existing antenna structures and design the base stations to keep the amount of telecommunications equipment to a minimum

Commitment to protect the natural and built environment

Vodafone seeks to protect, and where possible, enhance the natural and built environment by:

• Community Fact Sheet
• assessing potential concerns of residents and users in areas affected by its activities
• preserving the aesthetic, anthropological, archaeological, architectural, cultural, historical, social and scientific value of the area
• minimising the impact on ecosystems and preserving existing flora and fauna
• minimising the use of natural resources, and creating and disposing of waste in a safe and responsible manner
• seeking to minimise the visual impact of facilities on the local environment and minimising environmental pollution such as land disturbance and noise
• incorporating the use of environmentally friendly products in the construction whenever possible

Further Information

Vodafone encourages anyone concerned about the health effects of mobile phones and base stations to seek independent reliable expert advice. Below are some organisations that may be able to help.

World Health Organization - EMF Project Home Page
www.who.int/peh-emf/en/

Australian Radiation Protection Nuclear Safety Agency
(ARPANSA)
Phone: (03) 9433 2211
www.arpansa.gov.au/eme_pubs.htm

Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
Phone: (02) 6219 5555
http://emr.acma.gov.au

Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF)
Phone (02) 9959 9111
www.acif.org.au

For further information, please contact
Vodafone's EME Manager.
Phone: (02) 9415-7002 or (02) 9415-7008
Email: ememanagement@vodafone.com