Access to a modern, efficient and innovative telecommunications system, especially delivering mobile telephony, is important in meeting the demands of a modern society Senator Ian Campbell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts said during an address to the Municipal Association of Victoria's Telecommunications Breakfast Forum.
"The present telecommunications framework provides a reasonable balance between community interests and those of national telecommunications infrastructure," Senator Campbell said.
"This has been supplemented by the formation of the Mobile Carriers Forum (MCF) and the State Forums - comprised of Australia's mobile telephone carriers. The primary aim of the MCF is to improve co-location of mobile phone facilities and promote industry liaison with local governments and the community."
"The necessity for open and enhanced industry, community and local government dialogue has been spurred by the growth of mobile phone usage in Australia, and the associated essential infrastructure to provide mobile telephony services."
"The improved interactions between the carriers and local governments and communities have also advanced the working relationships between the carriers themselves," said Senator Campbell.
The MCF is developing policies relating to National Co-location Framework, Standardised Industry Documentation, Antenna Separation Policy, Pole Swap out Policy and Queuing policy. The industry has also agreed that local governments will be informed of all mobile telephone facilities planned for installation.
The mobile telephony carriers are also identifying best practice designs to assist in reducing the visual impact of telecommunications infrastructure.
"The formation of the MCF and State Forums has delivered cooperative and open dialogue amongst stakeholders and the community - and also between the carriers in an extremely competitive industry," said Senator Campbell.
