Policy Positions & Responses to Consultations
In this section, you will find MOA's positions on a range of public policy issues that affect our industry, including our submissions to consultation papers from the government departments in the UK, including the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
MOA Consultation Responses: 2012
MOA Response to Neighbourhood Planning Regulations:
We have responded to the Government's consultation on the new Neighbourhood Planning Regulations. You can read our views on neighbourhood planning here:
Neighbourhood_Planning_Consultation_MOA_Response.pdf
MOA Consultation Responses: 2011
MOA Response to National Planning Policy consultation
The Mobile Operators Association has responded to the Government's consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework. You can read our response here:
Draft_NPPF_MOA_Response.pdf
MOA responds to Lane Rental Consulation
The Mobile Operators Association has responded to the Department for Transport's consultation on Lane Rental. You can read our response here.
MOA_Response_to_Communications_Act_Review_Open_Letter-Final.pdf (June 2011)
Scottish_Government_GPDO_consultation_-_MOA_response.pdf (June 2011)
Localism_Bill_-_MOA_briefing_for_Public_Bill_Committee.pdf (February 2011)
National_Planning_Policy_Framework_-_MOA_submission.pdf (February 2011)
Amendments_to_the_Modernised_Planning_System_consultation_-_MOA_response.pdf (January 2011)
MOA Consultation Responses: 2010
Response to the Scottish Government consultation on Resourcing the Planning System (October 2010)
Response to the Scottish Government consultation on Good Neighbour Agreements (July 2010)
Response to proposed changes to the Welsh Planning System (April 2010)
Response to the Conservative Party ‘Open Source’ planning green paper (March 2010)
Response to the consultation on Non-Householder permitted Development Rights in Northern Ireland
MOA Consultation Responses: 2009
MOA comments on CLG ‘s Draft PPS15 – Planning for the Historical Environment (October 2009)
MOA comments on the review of Telecoms Planning Policy in Wales (September 2009)
MOA submission on the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill (June 2009)
4 Million Mobile Broadband Connections
Mobile phones cannot work without a network of base stations (masts). There are approximately 52,500 base stations in the UK. An Ipsos MORI survey for MOA (May 2010) showed that almost three quarters of people understood that masts are essential if they are to access the services they require. Mobile telecommunications are vital for the UK’s economic competitiveness and in promoting social inclusion. There are now over 81 million mobile connections in the UK. Over 4.8 million customers now access mobile broadband services via a laptop and dongle, and 28 per cent of UK adults use their mobile phones for internet access.
No Established Health Effects
Mobile phones operate by using radio waves, similar to those that have been widely used for decades, for example in radio, TV and radar signals. A large number of studies over the last two decades have found no clear evidence of adverse health effects from the use of mobile phones or from phone masts.