MCF Fact Sheets
About the MCF
www.mcf.amta.org.au
“Committed to addressing the social, environmental and political issues – relating to mobile infrastructure deployment and network operations – with a clear focus on the interests of the community”
The Mobile Carriers Forum (MCF) is an industry group representing the four mobile phone carriers deploying mobile networks in Australia, namely Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and Hutchison. The MCF is a division of the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA), the peak industry body for the telecommunications industry. The MCF is a specialised AMTA Forum that deals specifically with issues related to the deployment and operation of mobile phone networks. Over 98% of the Australian population now have mobile phone coverage. In 2001 the number of mobile phone handsets surpassed the number of landlines, and the ACMA Communications Report 2006 – 2007 states that at 30th June 2007 there were 21.26 mobile phone services in operation. The MCF strives to ensure that the industry addresses community expectations about the way telecommunications networks are deployed and balances these expectations with Australia’s 19.9 million mobile phone subscribers.
What does the MCF do?
At a policy level and on the ground, the MCF strives on behalf of its members to maintain a workable, cost-effective operating environment that allows Members to continue to improve their networks. The four key functions of the MCF are: 1. Co-ordination in deployment and network operations and co-operation with stakeholders; 2. Enhanced communication, education and consultation; 3. Mobile carrier industry liaison with Government and other industry stakeholders 4. Research and development of best practice in deployment and network operations. The MCF is also committed to improving community understanding of health and safety issues associated with mobile phone networks and provides a system for carriers to manage EME compliance of mobile phone base stations.
MCF Fact Sheets
How is the MCF structured?
The MCF is made up of a National Council who oversees and directs the work of the MCF. The National MCF Council has representatives from each carrier. The MCF has formed several National Taskforces who all report to the National Council. These Taskforces are charged with specific issues of interest including managing compliance with EME regulations, considerations about the design of low impact facilities, managing issues associated with the ACIF Code and the provision of information to its members and stakeholders through specially designed communications materials. The MCF has also established state based regional forums to address region specific issues and implement the MCF’s best practice policies at a local level. This includes enhancing colocation, industry cooperation and co-ordination as well as addressing local environmental and social issues through proactive consultation. These activities aim to ensure a strategic and coordinated approach to infrastructure deployment. The MCF has a National Program Manager and secretariat support. The Program Manager is responsible for the implementation and management of the National MCF Work Program.
What are some of the MCF’s key achievements?
The MCF has made substantial achievements in driving better cooperation within the industry, better relationships with government and community stakeholders and better regulations and guidelines that facilitate mobile network deployment.
MCF EME Regulatory Compliance Strategy (MERCS)
The MCF has a specialised Taskforce who specifically deal with how carriers can meet the regulatory requirements set by the Federal Government in relation to exposure to electromagnetic energy (EME) from base stations. The MERCS process involves gathering, recording and sharing information so that all parties involved can have visibility of a mobile phone base station’s compliance. It is a web based system which represents world’s best practice in managing cumulative assessment of EME. It is a multi layered system which allows several levels of access; including access for the general public to have visibility of the number of base stations in their local area as well as site specific EME Reports to more complex systems which manage EME compliance on shared carrier sites.
MCF Design and Innovation Program
The Design and Innovation Program has been established to consider ways to balance the requirement for new infrastructure with the visual effect that new infrastructure creates. This project aims to identify techniques and guidelines which can be applied and supplement everyday mobile phone base station site design processes and assist Carriers and their consultants to determine opportunities when deploying infrastructure to achieve better visual outcomes. The key response involved developing an interactive planning matrix known as the Mobile Phone Base Station Design Guide that generates unique design recommendations that respond specifically to site context and character. The Design Guide recognises that different landscape settings require different approaches to the design of base station infrastructure.
MCF Fact Sheets
What does the MCF offer?
Co-ordination of network infrastructure
Regional MCF Forums in each state provide an opportunity for improved co-operation between carriers resulting in faster and more efficient deployment outcomes, especially in relation to shared facilities. Regional forums are also an accessible way for local Councils and Local Government State and Regional Associations to obtain consolidated information about deployment activities in their areas. The MCF provides a single point of contact for its Stakeholders to discuss issues that are common to all Carriers relating to the deployment of mobile phone base stations. It is a reference point for issues raised by Local Government, as well as State and Federal Governments. The MCF also meets frequently with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to discuss operational and regulatory matters primarily associated with the ACIF Code and EME Compliance issues. The MCF maintains links with the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) regarding the latest EME research and regulatory issues. For its members, the MCF continues to develop programs which assist in their ability to deploy mobile phone base stations in a cost effective and efficient manner. For example, the MERCS project offers a combined industry approach to ensure compliance with EME regulations is based on a co-operative and proactive approach.
Information for Stakeholders
The MCF continues to produce new Fact Sheets relating to the deployment of mobile networks for industry, government and community stakeholders. Most recent Fact Sheets include “How networks work”, “Antennas on Rooftops”, “MERCS Explained”, “Radio Communications Site Management Books”, “Reading the revised EME Report” and “Understanding the revised EME Report”. The MCF is continuing to work on new Fact Sheets on topics relating to many aspects of mobile network deployment.
Working with Local Government
Together with Council representatives from around Australia, the MCF has produced the ACIF Code Guidelines for Local Government, which has recently been re-launched with a new fact sheet for local Councils. These Guidelines show Councils how they can become constructively involved in the decision making and consultation processes associated with the location and design of telecommunications facilities.
EME Information and Management
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) developed a revised Environmental EME Report to ensure that information about mobile phone base stations and levels of electromagnetic energy (EME) are clearly provided to interested stakeholders. The MCF follows ARPANSA’s methodology and a review has recently been undertaken to further enhance its effectiveness. The new EME Report format has been adopted by all carriers and its launch was supported by the provision of a training program for carrier staff and the production of 2 new fact sheets to help the community understand and interpret the new format Report. A review has recently been undertaken to further enhance its effectiveness.
MCF Fact Sheets
About AMTA
www.amta.org.au
The MCF is a division of AMTA. AMTA’s vision is to promote an environmentally, socially and economically responsible, successful and sustainable mobile telecommunications industry in Australia. AMTA manages a range of programs and services including: • Effective industry representation and leadership, and practical consumer advice • Research on the economic and social impact of mobile telecommunications • Mobile Muster • Lost and Stolen program • Kids’ website • Policy and Strategy development • Health and safety awareness • Accessibility issues • Safe driving • Information on understanding and tackling Cyber bullying • Education programs
Important information about mobile telecommunications
• The Australian Communications and Media Authority state that more than 60% of all calls to 000 are made from mobile phones • Recent research undertaken by Access Economics has found that the mobile telecommunications industry directly contributed $5.8 billion dollars to the Australian economy in 2005-06, and the indirect contribution was estimated to be $6.4 billion • Recent research undertaken by the Australian National University (ANU) has found that the majority of Australians believe that mobile phones have helped to balance their family and working lives.
More information about MCF and AMTA
For information about the Mobile Carriers Forum:
www.mcf.amta.org.au Matt Evans, Program Manager 119 Ferrars Street, South Melbourne Vic 3205 Ph: (03) 9684 3419 matt.evans@amta.org.au
For information about the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association:
www.amta.org.au Chris Althaus, Chief Executive Officer PO Box 4309 Manuka, ACT Australia 2603 Ph: (02) 6239 6555