Attn General manager,

Digital Tasmania is a consumer action group, created to give a voice to the views and needs of Tasmanian consumers in the digital age. Our goal is to strive for improved fixed, mobile and broadcast communications services through market competition and regulation that is in the interest of the consumer, now and into the future.

It is with this goal in mind that we write to you today. It was recently brought to our attention that the council will soon be considering a development application for the construction of a Telstra telecommunications facility, including a tower at Tinderbox.

Our examinination of this proposal and of mobile services available in the area lead us to believe that it is a responsible and necessary development.  It will ensure that sufficient capacity and reliability is present for recent and future growth in use of mobile communications services.

Tasmania as with much of the world has recently experienced a surge in use of mobile services, not just for voice traffic but more so data. Data services include not just home and handheld Internet access, but critical information to and from emergency service vehicles, building/fire alarms and other telemetry applications where fixed connections are not available nor practical. All of these applications are in use today in Tasmania.

Also in recent years, competition in the mobile sector has seen operators investing in more sites around Tasmania to expand their coverage, making alternatives to the incumbent available in many areas for the first time. This in turn has prompted the incumbent to improve their services with developments such as this one. All operators currently (or plan to) resell their services to other providers, further increasing consumer choice.

We are concerned that rejection of this development may lead to lower levels of service and reliability as demand grows, disadvantaging tourists and business people travelling through Margate, Electrona & Snug as well as residents of these areas who may otherwise have had access to competitive and reliable telecommunications services.

Should the council wish to approve with modifications/conditions, we suggest the following:
- a monopole (slim concrete tower) or guyed mast instead of a lattice to reduce visual profile of tower.
- remove triangular head frame, attach just one panel per side directly to tower (if technically feasible) again to reduce visuals
- painting tower a neutral colour to blend in with sky or landscape
- making the tower available to other operators, community groups, emergency services or potentially the NBN for their wireless solution on reasonable terms to limit the proliferation of multiple towers in the vicinity.

Given these factors, we put forward our support for this development application and hope it receives the support of council planning officers and councillors.

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us.

Digital Tasmania

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