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SURE ISLE OF MAN LIMITED
AT
DHA Site Peel Hill
Planning Application Supporting Statement
DATE: 28th June 2013
PREPARED BY:
Steven Allan Sure IOM Ltd
CABLE & WIRELESS REFERENCE:
IM062010
Page 1
As a licensed Mobile operator, Sure IoM Limited (formally Cable & Wireless IOM) is constantly striving to deliver a high quality mobile experience for all our customers.
The Sure mobile Radio Access Network consists of a number of sites that have a combination of equipment, such as panel antennas that provide the mobile coverage and transmission dishes that connect the site back in to the wider telecommunications network.
Sure will endeavour, whenever possible, to install our equipment on existing infrastructure or radio transmitters. Where this is not possible and it is necessary to introduce additional telecommunications infrastructure onto the Island - our supporting statements will justify both why the infrastructure is required and demonstrates that the best possible available site has been identified. Our aim is always to minimise the visual impact of our Radio Access Network.
This supporting statement will also help explain the decisions which led to the specific location being chosen and what alternatives were discounted.
Page 2
(As stated in the 2009 IoM Council of Ministers Report - GR No 20/09)
The introduction of mobile technology has brought many benefits in the ability to contact the Emergency Services in emergency situations such as road traffic accidents and the reporting of crime. This is particularly relevant in rural areas where there may be no access to fixed-line telephone services.
With widespread use of mobile phones, we are no longer dependent on landlines and help can be secured via mobile phones. There is a large volume of evidence in the medical literature that the eventual outcome of many serious medical conditions is dependent on the rapidity with which expert care is secured; e.g., heart attack (the survival and the extent of the damage is related to the delay between the onset of symptoms, and administration of clot-busting drugs – the shorter the delay, the better the outcome). Similarly, there is a “one hour rule” for major accidents – best outcome is obtained if the victim receives expert care within the first hour of a major accident. The list of conditions for which rapid treatment determines the outcome is expanding: e.g., stroke - a condition which has been added to the list. Since many of the emergencies arise in unpredictable situations mobile phones have literally saved lives.
Mobile phone technology has facilitated communication; it is no longer necessary to wait for a worker to return to their office to contact that person. This shortens time delays and decision making. It would be difficult to quantify the indirect economic benefits but the fact that modern day business is highly reliant on mobile phone technology provides ample testimony to the economic benefits.
An issue which is self-evident is that mobile phones have improved the quality of life, removing barriers to communication. Mobile phone calls and 'texts' (SMS messages) are extensively used in social situations and many teenagers of today cannot imagine a life without mobile phones.
Mobile phones also provide reassurance for parents and carers by helping them to maintain contact as required with their children. Again, it is difficult to quantify the benefits of this but it is likely to enhance the quality of life of all those involved.
Page 3
To improve our ability to support new technologies and the increasing consumer demand for 3G (UMTS – Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) mobile services it is vital that we improve our core infrastructure round the Isle of Man. With this aim in mind we would like to propose the installation of a 1.8 m LOS (line of sight) antenna on the existing DHA (department of Home Affairs) mast at Peel Hill. The proposal is to install the antenna at a height of 6.5 m just above the roof height of the existing DHA building. At this height the antenna will not be skylined from any view point in the Peel area. In addition we would propose (dependant on the view of IOM Planning office) painting the antenna to match the back drop provided by Peel Hill. This proposal will form one end of a Link between Peel and Jurby; a second application will be submitted for the Jurby end of the link.
We believe that if the development is pursued in a sympathetic nature, as proposed it will have very little visual impact to the existing mast. All other equipment to support this proposal would be housed in the existing DHA building.
Page 4
This application site is the existing DHA mast and building on Peel hill. The existing Mast is a 20 m open lattice tower supporting DHA, Manx Telecom and Sure IOM telecommunications equipment. The Proposal has been deliberately designed so the new antenna will not be skylined from any viewing point so making the most of the existing infrastructure in the area.
This picture was taken from the Northern Quay side in Peel clearly showing the proposed site.
Page 5
The below is photo mock up of the proposed antenna
This view represents one of the most prominent views of the proposed development site and we believe that if pained sympathetically the proposed new antenna will blend in with the natural flora of its back drop.
Further Photo mock-ups for the proposed installation are contained in appendix A
Page 6
There is a current need to improve the C&W 3G (UMTS) mobile coverage around the Northern part of the IOM. This improved coverage will support voice and HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) mobile data services benefiting both local residents and local businesses. However in order to support this growth in services it is necessary to improve our core back haul transmission systems to carry this and any additional traffic generated by any new technologies due to be introduced in the near future. Due to inherent reliability issues associated with LOS radio it is essential this infrastructure be of a resilient nature. However appropriate termination points for this type of link on the North West coast of the IOM are very few and far between. The only suitable site being Jurby DHA mast 20 kilometres north of Peel. The combination of high data rates and long distance dictate the size of the required antenna.
In addition this proposed link would add resilience to our transmission links in to Peel protecting the availability of telecommunications services in Peel for Sure customers. Including but not limited to Peel Commissioners public Wi-Fi.
This link would then comprise a critical, role in a high capacity, resilient core network serving the entire north of the Isle of Man. This link is vital to Sure's ability to continue to provide a viable alternative to Manx Telecom. In addition Sure is planning to complete all island 3G coverage at 42.2 Mbps (Megabits per second) and launch 4G services over the next 12 months. However without this LOS link it is unlikely we will be able to support this network expansion and therefore it will compromise our goal to be a viable alternative to Manx Telecom. The alternative of using Manx Telecom leased lines is not an option in this instance, as Manx Telecom do not support the technology required to implement high bandwidth 3G and LTE (Long Term Evolution) systems deployed by Sure.
In order to meet the technical requirements of such a system and provide reliable communications at high bandwidths over a range of 20 km a larger antenna is required.
Sure currently has no other alternatives for this site as a major part of the plan is to provide resilience for Peel itself and so this link must terminate at the Peel Hill site. No other sites provide the necessary elevation and unobstructed views north required to make this link viable.
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This proposal has been discussed with Mr Ian Brooks at Planning & Building Control.
This site has been designed in accordance with the current mainland UK Cellular operator's guidance for both Occupational & Public ICNIRP (International Commission on non-ionizing radiation protection) compliance. A signed ICNIRP certificate is enclosed with this application.
1) Isle of Man Government Statutory Boards, Offices & Agencies Plans 2006-2009. Volume 3.
Page 25 under Communications Commission Aims & Objectives Section: Objective: Social inclusion – to enhance access to services for the whole population:
"We will enforce universal service obligations by telecoms operators with significant market power. They must provide telephone services throughout the Island,"
2) Isle of Man Government Statutory Boards < Offices & Agencies Plans 2005-2008. Volume 3 Page 20, under Communications Commission Aims & Objectives Section. Objective; The built Environment -, to reduce the visual impact of telecommunications and radio infrastructure on the Island's landscape.
"We will encourage increased mast sharing by broadcasters, under the Radio Masts Regulation Act Limitations".
3) The Town and Country Planning Act 1999.
Page 101 "A balance must be struck between the need for new, evolving communications systems to satisfy residential and business demand and the impact that the necessary infrastructure will have upon the environment. Measures which may help to achieve a satisfactory balance will include a presumption against visually intrusive masts in sensitive landscapes, the encouragement of mast sharing by different operators, and the removal of redundant infrastructure. Exceptions to this policy would need to demonstrate a strategic national need, which cannot be otherwise secured by mast sharing or alternative locations."
Sure believe the installation complies with the Islands Policies above
Page 8
Sure is currently engaged in a significant development of its network in the Isle of Man, However if it is not possible to build a fully resilient core network infrastructure this development will be significantly curtailed. This in turn will have a significant impact on Sure's ability to compete and provide a viable alternative for the people of the Isle of Man. This then will be contrary to the Isle of Man's Governments intention when issuing a second telecommunications licence to promote choice and improve competition for the IOM population. Conversely if this development is permitted the people of Peel, Ramsey, Jurby and Kirk Michael will have access to the latest high speed, highly reliable Mobile voice and Data services.
We believe that given the nature of the proposed site (a 20 m lattice tower, substantial building and 2.3 m fence exist) the addition of 1 x 1.8 m dish will have little visual impact. Particularly if painted sympathetically. In addition the benefits of including Peel in our core infrastructure should be very apparent to the residents of Peel once they have access to the latest 3 and 4G technologies.
As stated by the IoM Government there are tangible benefits of an improved mobile service for residents and local business. These include communicating in 999 emergency situations, generally improving quality of life and providing infrastructure for local businesses
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