Build first, ask for permission later
The construction of new mobile sites takes too long for o2. That’s why the Germany boss of Telefónica Tesla wants to take Tesla as a role model – first build and then ask for permission. The step is intended to accelerate network expansion.
Model Tesla: o2 wants to build faster
Build first, then ask for permission – that’s a bit of an exaggeration, of course. Nonetheless, Markus Haas, head of Telefónica Germany, would like things to be simpler and above all Faster approval procedures for the expansion of the o2 mobile network. “If that’s possible with Tesla, it must also be possible for the mobile network,” he argues (source: Southgerman newspaper).
Haas introduces himself more precisely: “We would like one Exemption of cell phone sites. That means: We are allowed to build a cell phone site in accordance with simple, overarching regulations at suitable locations, and it is only then finally approved. If approval cannot be granted, we will dismantle the site.”
Obtaining all necessary permits prior to the start of construction cost unnecessary time and thus delay the expansion of mobile networks. According to Haas, the planning cycle for a new cell phone mast in other European countries takes around three months. In Germany, people have already become faster today, but you still have to reckon with around a year.
Tesla, on the other hand, has built its gigafactory near Berlin at an unprecedented pace and is already said to be producing test vehicles – without final approval. But: Intermediate approvals were granted and at least in theory, Tesla would also have to dismantle the plants for e-car construction and battery production if the final permit was not granted.
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Hardly any risk for o2: 99 percent go through
Of course, this is not to be expected, which o2 boss Haas is likely to speculate on. In 99 percent of the cases, new cell towers would be approved anyway. So instead of going through individual procedures for every new mast that is built practically under the same sign, Haas hopes for the “approval fiction”.
For example, dead spots could be eliminated more quickly or the 5G network expanded much more quickly. The actual test should take place after construction. If this could not then be approved, Telefónica or other network operators would be obliged to rebuild. At only 1 percent one manageable risk.
