Based on the activity undertaken up to this point and, in particular, the situations which result from the site survey (notwithstanding continued prosecution of the established action plan), it is possible to identify an initial set of measures aimed at improving the protection and resilience of electronic communications infrastructure.
ANACOM recommends that these measures be considered as described in this document and with the involvement and consultation of all stakeholders.
- Globally
- Preparation, approval and establishment of a new legal and regulatory framework governing the planning, construction, reconstruction, reconversion and installation of electronic communications infrastructure and of infrastructure suitable for carrying electronic communications, which envisages the creation of technical standards and regulations, including protection against fire and other natural disasters, in accordance with best practice, in particular the ITU-T recommendations referred to above and taking into account the legal regime set out by the LCE and Decree-Law no. 123/2009 of 21 May (DL 123/2009);
- Promotion and dissemination of Decree-Law 123/2009, in particular with regard to the use of the SIIA for the dissemination of announcements regarding work projects, for the promotion of infrastructure-sharing, as well as for the planning and control of the construction of new electronic communications infrastructure, within the scope of the infrastructure development plans to be launched at national, regional or local level. - Radiocommunications stations
- Establishment of requirements and procedures for the management of biomass and flammable vegetable waste:
- Creation of a paved strip surrounding the station outside the enclosing fence with a suitable minimum width (e.g. 2 metres);
- Cutting and thinning of treetops and shrubs, establishing a suitable minimum distance from the station (e.g. 5 metres);
- Clearing the ground around the station by cutting back and removing vegetation (undergrowth and fire-propagating material), thereby establishing a band of flammable material management with a minimum adequate width (e.g. 50 metres);
- Clearing the interior of the enclosure, by removing dry leaves and branches and other flammable material deposited there;
- Establishment of cable entry protection requirements;
- Establishment of requirements with the aim of creating and maintaining a fire protection band of adequate width (e.g. 5 metres) along the aerial routes of communications and power cables, in particular in relation to the municipality concessions of low voltage energy infrastructure, in the accesses to radiocommunications stations;
- Establishment of requirements that promote the sharing of paths in aerial routes of communications cables and electric power cables, with the purpose of creating and maintaining a fire protection band with adequate width, common to both routes, in accesses to radiocommunications stations;
- Establishment of requirements to promote the replacement of aerial routes of communications cables with underground routes or, where appropriate, radio beams, in accesses to radiocommunications stations. - Poles, cables and aerial communications
- Establishment of technical requirements for the protection of electronic communications network infrastructure which, where appropriate, in areas of recurrent risk, ensure that priority is given to underground installation rather than aerial routing, taking advantage of existing suitable infrastructure (e.g.: roadway ducts) and adopting ITU-T recommendations, see annex (e.g. horizontal drilling and micro and mini trenches), in the case of:
- Construction and installation of new networks, especially within the scope of national, regional and local infrastructure development or investment plans, and
- Reconstruction of current networks, in particular, after the occurrence of a forest fire or other natural disaster that has affected them, as long as the recovery time of the services allows;
- Preparation of a plan for conversion of aerial routing to underground routing of electronic communications network infrastructure, ensuring access to the electronic communications services and networks of municipality capitals and radiocommunications station sites located in geographical areas classified by the ICNF, according to the National Forest Fire Protection System1, as "High" (Class IV) or "Very High" (Class V), taking advantage of existing suitable infrastructures (e.g. roadway ducts) and adopting ITU-T recommendations, see annex (e.g. guided horizontal drilling and micro and mini trenches, where terrain permits);
- Plan to affix geo-referenced identifiers on each pole, with indication of the owner and their contact details, prioritising areas of "High" (class IV) and "Very high" (class V) forest fire hazard;
- Establishment of requirements with the aim of creating and maintaining a fire protection band with adequate width (e.g. 5 metres) along aerial communications cable routes, prioritising areas of "High" (class IV) and "Very high" (class V) forest fire hazard;
- Establishment of requirements and procedures for fire protection of wooden poles (e.g. base paint), prioritising areas of "High" (class IV) and "Very high" (class V) forest fire hazard;
- Establishment of appropriate fire resistance requirements for communications cables to be used in aerial routing, prioritising areas of "High" (class IV) and "Very high" (class V) forest fire hazard.
