ACM: no major obstacles in the market for antenna sites at this point

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) currently does not see any major obstacles in the market for antenna sites (or cell towers) as a whole. However, some specific problems may occur, but, after an amendment to the Dutch Telecommunications Act, ACM sees dispute settlement as the appropriate instrument for solving those problems. That is one of the conclusions of ACM following a market study that has been published today.

Demand for locations for the installation of antennas for mobile networks keeps on increasing as demand for capacity and coverage keeps on growing, too. Mobile broadband consumption in particular is increasing, which is expected to continue as a result of 5G-applications.

Some market participants, particularly mobile-network operators (MNOs), are concerned that the supply of antenna sites will lag behind this increasing demand. That may push up prices. They point out that scarcity may occur due to, for example, fears of citizens about possible health risks or because of complicating technical and legal pre-conditions. Market participants also point out that municipalities sometimes do not have effective policies in place or do not communicate effectively.

In the study, no direct indications were found that the risks identified by market participants generally occur in real life. ACM also sees positive developments such as the efforts by the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) and the Radiocommunications Agency Netherlands (AT) to help municipalities draw up policies.

In March 2022, the Dutch Telecommunications Act was amended. These amendments entailed, among other things, that, next to MNOs, other types of providers of antenna sites, too, must accept reasonable co-use requests. Market participants are able to make arrangements among themselves about, for example, works planning and the level of the co-use fee. “Should problems occur anyway, we will be able to solve them with our power of dispute settlement”, says Manon Leijten, Member of the Board of ACM. “We obviously continue to welcome any reports about possible problems.”

More in this case

14-07-2022 Market study into mast sites: no major obstacles in the market as a whole (in Dutch)