Auckland – 13th November 2009
The Telecommunications Carriers’ Forum (TCF) has endorsed the new Guidelines for Undertaking Community Engagement for Wireless Telecommunications Facilities developed by one of its working parties. These guidelines are now available for wireless network operators to commit to as part of their network rollouts.
The guidelines outline how network operators should approach the public when constructing wireless networks in residential areas. The aim of the guidelines is to encourage operators to engage with local communities earlier in the planning process and to assist with addressing their concerns through the timely provision of information.
TCF Independent Chair Richard Westlake says, “The TCF has endorsed these guidelines as a way of setting a minimum standard of communications and engagement across all wireless network operators”.
“While the majority of operators already undertake engagement with local communities, these guidelines will encourage a more consistent and comprehensive approach to these communications In particular, they will ensure that communities hear about plans for their area at an earlier stage of the process and will have the opportunity to seek further information from operators should they so require.”
The guidelines were developed in consultation with central and local government and the public by a working party of TCF wireless network operators, consisting of Kordia, Telecom, Vodafone and Woosh Wireless – all of whom are expected to commit to these guidelines.
The final version of the guidelines, and the public submissions that were received, can be viewed online here.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Richard Westlake, TCF Independent Chair, 021 443 137
www.tcf.org.nz