Assessment of Spatial Distribution of Telecommunication Base Stations and Compliance Level of the Operators to the Regulations in Federal Capital City Abuja, Nigeria.

Abstract

The introduction of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) in Nigeria in early 2001, has both its benefits and the attendant consequences. The problems associated with telecommunication base station siting in the Federal Capital City Abuja includes illegal installation, and non- compliance with the provision of the controlling agencies, incompatibility of land use, loss of environmental aesthetic and pollution (Air and Noise). This paper aimed at assessing the spatial distribution of telecommunication base station in Abuja and the level of compliance to the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) regulations. Both secondary and primary data were collected from the existing base stations in Abuja. Field survey was employed and spatial analysis through the use of satellite imageries was employed for the study. Analysis of the study indicated that there are 92 base stations in the city with low level of compliance with the NCC regulations (26.1%). The study indicated that 17 base station shows overlapping which can be shut down and will not affect the operation of the operators. It was observed that economic gain was a major propelling factor for the base station sitting rather than standard provided by the NCC.It was recommended that 17 base stations be shut down so as to attain a high level of compliance to NCC directives.