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Although outdoor radio coverage in Andreas village, for voice calls is just about acceptable reliable data availability is sporadic. Indoor voice coverage is even less reliable. With the development of mobile communications and the evolution to a pure IP basis system, reliable data coverage is essential. The distance for the closest mast means that data type communication is poor. In addition, the distance from the local mast also increases the network load required to providing service at this range. The result is that in receiving a mediocre data experience in Andreas, uses a significantly higher number of resource blocks than a good service in Jurby or Bride would. The only solution for this issue is a mast closer to the users, closer to Andreas.
This proposed site will also have a significant positive impact on the users in its wider surrounding area as it will release resource from both West Kimmeragh and Jurby to support other users. This in turn will benefit the vast majority of users in the north of the Island.
The Isle of Man Government recently launched its Digital Inclusion Strategy 2016-2021.It recognises the importance of online access and brings together partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors to help people get online. It's part of the Government's Digital Strategy, which aims to bring more services online and help more people to access them.
The strategy notes the benefits of helping more people to get online including access to training and jobs, social and leisure activities and how it can help to address wider social issues and support economic growth.
Good connectivity is vital to support this strategy and ensuring that areas of the island, such as Andreas, have high capacity reliable mobile services to access the latest in technology is therefore key.
The proposed site does not have a specific or restrictive designation under the 1982 Development Plan, nor does it fall within an area of restricted building height due to Air Safety.
This site has been designed in accordance with the current mainland UK Cellular operator's guidance for both Occupational and Public ICNIRP compliance. Our design team is satisfied that this site design complies with the above guidelines and therefore 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."
4) Isle of Man Government Digital Strategy and Digital Inclusion Strategy https://issuu.com/isleofmangovernment/docs/digital_strategy_v0.1?e=17903168/13316277 https://www.gov.im/media/1352205/digital-inclusion-strategy-july-2016.pdf 1.3 "Most people take digital technology and the internet for granted. It is something that has become so deeply embedded in daily life that it is hard to function when access to it is lost." 2.3 "In line with providing more digital services, Government needs to ensure that residents of the Island are equipped with the access, skills, motivation and trust to go online, to help those who want to be digitally capable to make the most of the internet."
Sure IOM Ltd believes the proposed installation complies with the island's policies and strategies above.
To summarise, we consider that this application suggests the optimum location and design for a proposed site.
The current mobile network coverage plots, combined with the number of customer complaints received, demonstrate that there is a definite need for a site in this area to alleviate the extremely poor mobile network coverage in the village. The coverage plots provided in this application show the significant improvement to the customer experience that a site in this location would achieve.
The location and appearance have been carefully considered to best utilise the existing infrastructure to minimise visual impact. Our proposal is a sympathetically designed flagpole mast, that is commonly found on church towers of this design throughout the world. When viewed from the nearest main road the A9 it is envisaged that the proposed installation will look similar to the photo mock-up below.
Therefore, the design proposed represents both the optimum planning, environmental and technical solutions in this instance. As such, we believe the development as proposed is in accordance with planning guidance as defined above.
Sure (Isle of Man) Ltd declares that the proposed equipment and installation as detailed in the attached planning at:
Sure Site IOM 52 St Andrews Church Kirk Andreas Isle of Man
Easting 241508 Northing 499279
Is designed to be in full compliance with the requirements of the radio frequency (RF) public exposure guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation (ICNIRP), as expressed in EU Council recommendation of 12 July 1999* "on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0Hz to 300GHz)".
*Reference: 1999/519/EC Name & Position: Steven Allan/ Mobile Engineer
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