Initiatives to reduce visual impact

In 2008, Telefónica increased the amount of shared infrastructures with other operators by 100% and invested over 3 million euros to minimise and/or correct the visual impact of its bases stations.

Telefónica's typically applied techniques to reduce the visual impact of a base station include:

• sharing infrastructures with other operators
  
• painting telecommunications antennas, huts, fencing and masts
• simulating structures and textures to blend in with the host building

The simulation technique is sometimes termed installation "mimesis", because the concern is that the facility or base station should look like just another feature of the given setting. This allays its visual impact and helps it blend in as unobtrusively as possible with its surroundings.

In 2008, Telefónica undertook 473 visual impact actions at base stations. Visual impact correction work on the Group's network assets commanded an outlay of 3.3 million euro. The chart displays the percent expenditure in two of Telefónica's regions (Spain and Latin America). Actions are undertaken in Europe, too, but data are unavailable on the expenditure allocated to visual impact correction in that region.

The CSR Atlas highlights specific examples of our actions and techniques in various countries to lighten visual impact, such as the initiatives of Movistar Colombia and of Telefónica Europe in the United Kingdom.

In Spain and the UK, the company has introduced a code of good practice for the deployment of the mobile telephony network. The code sets procedures and guidelines to roll out mobile telephony assets on the basis of sustainability and integration with the environment.

Another common practice at Telefónica to reduce visual impact which is growing more widespread every year is to share infrastructure with other mobile operators at one and the same site. Several operators install assets at a single site, with some assets being shared. The visual impact of their respective networks is considerably lessened, insofar as fewer elements and a smaller overall mass of infrastructure need be deployed - fewer masts, antenna supports, etc.

In 2008, the company shared 17,612 sites with other operators, 100% more than in the previous year.