Responsible network

Responsible deployment

• we have signed up to the MOA's Ten Commitments, a voluntary code of best practice for our industry that ensures transparency and responsible network deployment
• we carry out detailed impact assessments prior to deploying our network to make sure the impact on the local community is minimised
• however, people often ask us about our network, both when new masts are installed and when existing masts are decommissioned
• we have a dedicated team who manage our community liaison on mast-related issues. They visit sites where communities require more information and meet with MPs as required
• if you have any thoughts or concerns about our network deployment please get in touch via ee.co.uk/contactus

Safe deployment

• it’s essential that our network engineers are safe when they deploy the network
• our Safety team have implemented a safety management system, consistent with the occupational health standard OHSAS 18000 and externally verified, that aims to reduce the number of incidents across our network through consistent and stringent contractor control
• we're also a founding member of the Mast and Tower Safety (MATS) group, which is supported by the regulator in the UK and publishes industry standards for network build, operation and maintenance. We're right behind the MATS team's commitment to publicise the main cause of incidents in business

The use of mobile phones has grown at a phenomenal rate, with more than 80 million handsets now active in the UK.

Without a network of masts we’d be unable to deliver the great social and economic benefits mobiles bring.

• we understand some people have health concerns related to mobiles and masts. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that there's no evidence to convince experts that using mobile devices and masts poses health risks
• when we build a mobile phone base station we're required to demonstrate that signal levels in all publicly accessible areas remain within the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) safety guidelines endorsed by the WHO and the UK Government
• these guidelines are set to ensure the safety of all members of society, including the very old and young. They were set by ICNIRP in 1998 and adopted in the UK in 2000 following publication of the Stewart Report. They're kept under constant review
• the UK Government decided that all base stations in the UK must adhere to these ICNIRP guidelines and that, if the guidelines were conformed with, no further health considerations were necessary
• research continues into mobile devices, masts and health. We're committed to supporting this work