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Proliferation of mobile phone towers sparks concern

Special Correspondent

BSNL itself will have nearly 2,000 in city by next year

Bangalore: The number of mobile phone users is increasing by the day. The fallout has been network towers that provide cellular phone coverage from one end of the city to the other and beyond. BSNL itself will have close to 2,000 of them by next year and private operators are not lagging behind. With call rates slashed down to Re. 1 or less under certain tariff plans, there are more mobile phone users and the need for more towers for expanding networks.

Network towers now dot rooftops at the most unlikely places. They are on top of private houses and more commonly, atop apartment complexes. Aesthetics apart, the rentals paid by the mobile phone operators cannot be ignored by many.

An apartment society may get monthly rentals ranging from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 20,000 depending on the location and the "desperation" of the mobile phone company. Some such as Bharti Airtel have purchased plots of land or taken space on long-term lease.

Agreement

While it appears to be a win-win situation for mobile phone companies and apartment societies, there is a catch too. The agreements allowing a tower to be put up are for up to 10 years.

Some apartment owners fear that the structural strength of a building will be in danger with a concrete block and a 10-12 metre metal tower atop it may have inherent risks.

There are also security concerns as technical and inspection staff of the phone company have access to the rooftops at all hours, according to the agreements between the two parties.

The much-talked-about radiation hazards from the towers still remain a big question. Neurologists are divided in their opinion and point out that no proper studies have been carried out to establish any connection between possible radiation from towers and health hazards. Any long-term effects may become apparent only years later.

Hesitant

Although the towers are a commercial agreement between the mobile phone companies and building owners or societies, the civic body has been hesitant in collecting taxes for either party until now.

Some apartment societies said that the other party might be paying the taxes.

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