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Resistance to mobile masts: Federal Government launches communication offensive

2019-11-18T07:13:55.743Z


Germany has to catch up with the network coverage, but many citizens resist the construction of new mobile masts. The Federal Government wants to counter skepticism with a new strategy.



In view of reservations on the ground against the construction of new mobile masts, the federal government wants to go on the offensive. In order to achieve more understanding and acceptance, there should be a multi-year campaign "communication initiative".

This is the result of the government's mobile strategy. "Everyone wants a powerful and nationwide mobile network," it says. "But sometimes the expansion of locations for mobile masts fails because of local resistance."

Thousands of new locations for mobile masts are to be developed

Reason for this are often reservations against mobile masts - for optical reasons or for concern about additional radiation exposure. The aim of the campaign is to provide "transparent and neutral" information about the developments in mobile communications and to enter into an in-depth dialogue with the citizens. "The technical characteristics, the fields of application and the possibilities of new technology should be as much a focus as the social impact and possible health aspects."

Read here how dangerous rising reservations can be for future industries

Currently around 74,000 locations in Germany are used for public mobile communications, as the strategy states. In order to achieve a nationwide supply, thousands of new locations would have to be developed and existing ones upgraded. The development of new locations for mobile networks is increasingly difficult.

The mobile communication strategy is a main topic of the digital meeting of the Federal Government in Meseberg, which began on Sunday. Afterwards, the Cabinet comes together for a regular meeting on Monday afternoon.

Less deadlocks: Federal government wants to invest more than a billion

In Germany, there are still many "white spots" in mobile communications, especially in the countryside. The connection in trains is often bad. The government wants to change that. Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer (CSU) warned on Sunday evening faster approval procedures for the expansion of mobile infrastructure. At present, around 1,000 locations were in approval procedures. Germany must get faster here. This also requires further talks with countries and municipalities.

To close dead spots, the federal government wants to provide more than a billion euros. The government wants to set up a mobile infrastructure company to support the expansion and, if necessary, to award contracts themselves.

According to the strategy, the mobile infrastructure company will be set up as a subsidiary of the state-owned truck toll operator Toll Collect with its own supervisory board. It is to be supported by an advisory board composed of representatives of the federal, state and local authorities. The operational start of the infrastructure company is planned for the third quarter of 2020.

In addition, cooperation between the federal government, federal states and local authorities is to be improved for the expansion of the mobile communications infrastructure. The municipalities have a central role, according to the strategy of the Federal Government. "Because in practice, the challenges in the concrete realization of transmitters on site." In turn, countries have a crucial role to play in obtaining the necessary permits. In the first quarter of 2020, a second "Mobile Summit" is planned.

Source: spiegel

All business articles on 2019-11-18

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