Pursuant to its powers and responsibilities, ICP-ANACOM is required to ensure that licensed or authorised stations and networks have all necessary and possible protection, safeguarding their operability.
Some radio links and stations enjoy special protection through the creation of administrative easements which place restrictions on the construction and location of obstacles in areas defined in such easements. ICP-ANACOM is asked to give an opinion on the feasibility of installing buildings and infrastructure in these areas, the creation of areas subject to detailed planning and land development plans, installation of wind farms and energy transmission lines, construction of roads, rail and hydroelectric plants, operation of quarries, etc.
ICP-ANACOM is also asked to assess projects and issue opinion on the feasibility of installing radiocommunications infrastructure, pursuant to Decree-Law no. 11/2003 of 18 January.
ICP-ANACOM also participates in several oversight committees to review PDM - planos diretores municipais (Municipal Director Plans), representing the Government, attending the meetings of these Committees, contributing to the drafting of PDM and issuing opinions thereon.
During 2012, 316 applications were processed, roughly the same as in 2011. There was a notable increase in requests for opinions relating to PDM (30% of total) and a decrease in requests for opinions on the installation of wind farms (14% of total). This variation is explained firstly by an effort among local councils to finalize several second-generation PDM, while investment in wind energy has been slowing down.
