What information does the site database offer?

The site database for local authorities is an important part of the Associations Agreement between German mobile network operators and the national associations of local authorities.

Set up by the Federal Network Agency for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Post and Railway (Bundesnetzagentur), the database details all certified base station sites. It lists about 80,000 fixed installations – among them more than 64,500 mobile network installations – that have obtained a site certificate. Regional and local authorities that have registered for the online service can access it at http://emf2.bundesnetzagentur.de/en_emf_mon.html.

Password-protected access and download of the site certificate

The information in the database is data protected and only accessible to regional and local authorities. To prevent non-authorized users from accessing it, a password system was installed. During the online registration process, users are required to define their search range for the database by entering the post codes of their area of responsibility. The Federal Network Agency will check the registrant’s entitlement to use the database and then allow access to the search range the user has selected. The local authority must also submit the registration form in writing.

The database contains a regularly updated address list of sites, which includes the post code, place, street, house number and the corresponding branch office of the Federal Network Agency. It also provides all the data from the site certificate the Federal Network Agency has issued for each installation. This includes the installations’ technical data, type of radio system, installation height, transmission characteristics, direction of the main beam and safe distances. Site certificates are available for download in PDF format.

Accessing the site database

The site database is a service offered to local authorities to help them fulfil their responsibilities for health and safety, and public services such as planning and building laws.

The safe distances for the installation as defined in the site certificate apply to the whole site. They take into consideration field strengths of the installation itself, the electromagnetic fields of other transmitters at the site as well as relevant field strengths of different installations in the area (such as TV and radio broadcasting antennas).

Safe distances depend on the transmission power and the characteristics of the antenna. This means that stronger transmitters require greater safe distances than weaker ones. Safe distances are defined on the basis of German legal limits to protect the public from electromagnetic fields.

The site certificate

The site certificate issued by the Federal Network Agency is a prerequisite for the operation of a mobile network installation. It precisely defines safe distances for installations to protect people from electromagnetic fields using the most complex safety procedures in Europe.

For local authorities, site certificates are essential in planning and choosing suitable mobile network installation sites. Authorities also check if network operators are complying with the structural and technical details described in the certificate. Any technical modification of the installation that affects the safe distance requires a new application and site certificate.