FTML Services Cellulaire Liban

completed

Environmental Review Summary (ERS)Project Name: LEBANON: FTML CellularRegion: Central Asia, Middle East and North AfricaSector: TelecommunicationsProject No.: 7844 November 13, 19961. FTML, one of the two cellular telephone network operators in Lebanon, has requested IFC support for it’s expansion program. FTML’s investment objectives are two fold: (a) improve quality of service as the network has been strained by traffic congestion due to unusually high usage patterns; (b) expand capacity to accommodate the fast growing demand for cellular services in Lebanon. The project, based on GSM cellular technology, will add three more switches nationwide (from the three existing) and about 170 base stations (from the current 150). The proposal is to increase the 93,000 existing subscribers to around 250,000 by the end of 2004. Planning for the expansion phase is being coordinated with France Telecom Mobile International, a subsidiary of France Telecom, the main French telephone operator. Total project cost is estimated at US$190 million of which IFC will provide US$100 million in loans. 2. This is a category B project according to IFC''s environmental review procedure because specific impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines or design criteria. The review of this project consisted of appraising technical and environmental information submitted by the project sponsor. The key environmental, health and safety issues that were considered in this project include: · right-of-way alignment and tower site selection;· access road construction;· solid and liquid waste disposal;· fire protection and halons;· PCBs; and· general employee safety and training.3. FTML have submitted an environmental, health and safety management plan addressing the issues listed above, as well as an outline of key impacts and mitigation measures of past operations. This information is summarized below. 4. FTML currently leases cell sites and switching centers in rural and urban areas. The average site is about 80 m2 in both rural and urban areas. It is company policy to only lease sites accessible by existing roads. When necessary they will realize access roads, with full respect of the laws and with the land owner’s approval. In selecting sites, FTML is very careful about material transportation, storage and handling. Impacts related to establishment of new right-of-ways are therefore minimal. In urban areas cell sites are situated on existing buildings and already developed sites using self-supporting monopole antennas to minimize potential negative aesthetic effects. No construction will occur in National Parks or other protected or environmentally sensitive areas, such as monasteries or pleasant locations.5. The only solid and liquid wastes FTML’s operations generate is sewage. During construction portable facilities and small septic systems will be provided. At any given time there will be no more than ten people working on construction at each site, therefore sewage volumes will not be significant. Maintenance and operation of cell sites require only one permanent on site employee for whom standard septic systems will be provided, when it is not possible to connect the site to a sewer .6. Ambient noise generated by operations are well within acceptable limits. In order to eliminate the potential negative health effects of radiation exposure, all electrical equipment is shut down during servicing of microwave towers. Tower sites are under security surveillance and only trained and authorized individuals are permitted on towers. Employees working on towers are provided with helmets, retention belts and safety gloves. All employees assigned to equipment installation and maintenance have been trained in safety procedures by FTML and its main foreign partner France Telecom.8. FTML has no PCB owned/operated equipment. No equipment containing CFCs will be installed, and any existing equipment containing CFCs will be phased out in accordance with Lebanon’s commitments to the Montreal Protocol.9. All cell sites are equipped with either manual or automatic fire suppression systems. Only the first switch site is using existing halon-based equipment, but it will be phased out in 1997. On new sites, all extinguishing equipment will be halon-free.10. The sponsor will annually submit to IFC a monitoring report outlining the environmental performance of the project. Based on the information provided regarding the potential environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures, IFC''s Environment Division concludes that this project will comply with applicable World Bank environmental, health and safety policies and guidelines, and host country requirements.