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Purpose

Sitefinder is the Governments data base of mobile phone base stations operated by Ofcom on behalf of central government.

Who we are

Ofcom is the UK’s communications industry regulator with wide-ranging responsibilities across the UK’s communications markets. For more detail on the services provided by Ofcom, or for information on help to radio users, radio licensing requirements, or other aspects of the Ofcom's work, please see the main Ofcom website.

The Stewart Report

Establishing a national database of base stations was a recommendation from the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP) - also known as the Stewart Group because it was chaired by Sir William Stewart. This expert group was commissioned by the Minister for Public Health in April 1999 to investigated possible hazards posed by mobile phone technology including base stations.

The IEGMP report, published in May 2000, identified a general need to ensure that the public had better access to information about mobile phone technology so as to allay any fears they may have, and to enable them to make informed choices about mobile phone technology. As part of this process the IEGMP recommended that reliable and openly available information about the location and operating characteristics of all base stations is provided by Government.

In response to the IEGMP recommendation the Government asked the Radiocommunications Agency (now Ofcom) to set up and manage a national database giving details of all mobile phone base stations and their emissions. The database is an internet based resource and can be accessed at www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk.

The Governments response to the IEGMP report can be found here

What information does the database provide?

The database provides information on the location and characteristics of cellular radio transmitters in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that use the technologies GSM, TETRA and UMTS. Indoor sites in public places such as airports and railway stations etc are also included. It should be noted that only operational transmitters and sites that are in the process of being built are included on the database. Consequently, sites that are currently going through the planning process will not be found on the database. Many Local Authorities keep lists of planned base stations, therefore a Local Authority will be able to assist with enquiries about base stations where planning permission had been applied for or is anticipated.

Audit Programme

The IEGMP Report also said that as part of its recommended precautionary approach there should be an independent audit of the radio powers near to base stations. In response to the report's recommendation the Government has asked the Ofcom to implement a national measurement programme to ensure that emissions from base stations do not exceed the recommended guidelines. Details of this programme are available at the audit website.

Enquiries

Any enquiries can be e-mailed to the Ofcom by clicking on the Sitefinder query form.

Or you can write to us at:

Sitefinder Enquiry Point
Ofcom
Riverside House
2a Southwark Bridge Road
London
SE1 9HA

Tel: 020 7981 3000 or 0300 123 3000

Ofcom
June 2006

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