07/2238 - MCU - Service amd Utility Tpye 3 - Tower [As Published] · 132007.2238

_ DALY

MCU for Noosa South, Lot 15 on $P177649 INTERNATIONAL

 

These operational factors all influence the size of the search area within which a suitable
site has to be identified.

Geographical Constraints - The geographical form of the surrounding landscape also
plays a large part in determining network design. Many of the rural landscapes comprise
of undulating landscapes including, trees and other features that obstruct radio frequency
(RF) coverage.

The number of required sites and pattern of the network design will also have to account
for the particular rural landscape.

2.3 PROCESS OF SITE SELECTION

Planning for a new mobile telecommunications base station is a complex process, which in
this case involved the following activities:

. Telstra uses a number of methods to identify those parts in the 3G network that
require improved coverage, capacity and call performance. These methods include
drive surveys, statistical measures, Computer modelling of coverage, and the
evaluation of customer complaints. When an area within the Telstra network is
identified as providing poor services and performance, investigations are
undertaken to determine the measures required to rectify theses services and
performance deficiencies. In this case Telstra has identified the rural and nearby
residential areas around Willow Vale, as requiring 3G mobile coverage, where there
is presently poor to nil coverage.

e Telstra radio frequency engineers assessed this deficiency and devised measures
necessary for rectification. The first stage of the process was to consider if the
deficiency can be improved through the optimisation of the existing network
hardware to avoid the deployment of additional infrastructure. However if
optimisation can not deliver a satisfactory outcome, the deployment of a new site is
considered. The initial research undertaken is used to define the scope of the
network deficiency and the performance objective of the proposed new facility. In
this instance, the radio frequency engineer determined that a new site
(telecommunication tower) is required.

e Telstra identified an area where a telecommunications facility would be most
required (a "search ring") and undertakes a preliminary investigation with the
relevant planning/environmental and property consultants, RF engineers and
designer of this search ring to identify possible locations or options for the facility.

Whilst the operational and geographical aspects of deploying new mobile base
stations are primary factors, there are many other critical issues that have to be
effectively resolved in parallel that also influence network design.

Some of the issues which need to be considered are visual amenity, co-location, the
availability and suitability of land and a willing site provider, occupational health
and safety, construction issues - structural and loading feasibility, access for

 

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