Telecommuniations opportunities & threats

Possible opportunities

The Telecommunications industry represents the latest in technological innovation. The primary opportunity is to create a significant revenue stream where base sites are located and be part of the development of this network. As with all technology it is difficult to predict the future benefit, but if you consider other 18th and 19th Century developments that required network links (road and rail) there was significant benefit in being part of the "main route" as the network developed. As with all possible opportunities there are also threats.

Land values

Anti-mast campaigners have warned that radiation omitted by telephone masts is potentially dangerous to humans despite the phone companies and governments insisting the technology is safe.

The potential impact on residential property prices is somewhat similar to that which surrounded the business network of electricity pylons when they were erected.

However, whilst the impact on property prices is likely to vary, no academic research has been carried out to verify this fact. There is some anecdotal evidence that erecting a mast within close vicinity of residential property could reduce the value between 5% and 10%. Caution must therefore prevail. But if their potential loss in value becomes a reality, it will be the result of a growing fear of the unknown rather than specific proof of facts.

There are certain safety measures already in place to protect against such scenarios. A Court can decide that a landowner should be sufficiently compensated for the depreciation in value of their land if it is the direct result of the erection of a telephone mast. An example of this occurred in May 2003 when a group of homeowners in Swindon sought compensation for the loss of value to their properties. The landowners were each awarded between £10,000 and £20,000 from the local council when the council allowed a mast to be erected in the middle of their street.

Until the perceived adverse effects of telephone masts is proved to be untrue or is found to be a reality, the effects on land values will remain uncertain.