The primary goal of the Communications Antenna Policy is to guide the placement of towers and antennas in Seychelles in a way that reduces visual and environmental impacts while ensuring efficient telecommunications services. Key goals include:

• Minimizing the Number of Towers:

  Encouraging towers to be located in non-residential areas to reduce visual impact and minimize the number of towers across the islands.

• Community Impact Reduction:

  Ensuring that towers are placed in locations that minimize adverse effects on the community, especially in scenic or residential areas.

• Visual Impact Mitigation:

  Promoting tower placement near natural screens, such as woodlands and forests, to reduce the visual impact.

• Co-location of Equipment:

  Encouraging shared use of tower sites among providers to reduce the need for additional towers.

• Enhanced Service Provision:

  Supporting telecommunication providers in offering reliable services to the public through effective tower management.

With the rise of smartphones and wireless technology, more towers are required to handle increased service demands. While these towers provide essential services for business, personal communication, and emergency response, their placement must be carefully managed. This policy aims to ensure that Seychelles’ scenic landscape remains protected from unsightly structures that could disrupt the natural environment and impact property values.

The policy applies to all relevant government agencies and private developers involved in physical development that includes communication structures. The Seychelles Planning Authority, along with other government offices, oversees the policy's implementation.

• Inventory of Existing Towers
  All radio and telecommunication providers must submit an inventory of their towers to the Planning Authority, including detailed specifications, such as location, height, and design. This inventory helps other providers find existing towers for co-location, reducing the need for new tower construction.

   

• Approval Process for New Towers
  Applications for new towers require a thorough review process. Before approval, service providers must:

   

  • Notify and consult with local residents about the proposed tower, addressing any concerns.
  • Meet all technical, safety, and international regulatory standards, including Seychelles’ own guidelines.

  • Complete the approved tower construction within a specified timeframe.

     

• Aesthetic and Lighting Standards
  The policy emphasizes the aesthetic integration of towers with the natural landscape:

   

  • Towers must be painted according to international standards for minimal visual disturbance.
  • Buildings and structures associated with towers should use materials and colors that blend with the surroundings.

  • Towers are only to be lit if required by the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), with minimal lighting to avoid visual disruption.

     

• Landscaping Requirements
  Tower sites must include landscaping, especially a 1.5-meter buffer of plant materials around the tower base, to screen the structure from public view. In areas where natural growth offers sufficient screening, landscaping requirements may be reduced.

   

• Government and Safety Compliance
  All towers must meet the current safety and regulatory standards, including compliance with the SCAA’s requirements on lighting and color. If standards are updated, tower owners have six months to meet new guidelines or risk removal of the tower at their expense.

• Roof-mounted antennas must be located centrally to avoid visibility from the building’s edge and should match the building’s color.
• Antennas and equipment on buildings must not exceed 5 meters in height above the roofline.

To ensure tower stability and community safety, the policy includes rigorous technical standards:

1. Structural Integrity
   Towers must be designed and maintained to meet the structural standards outlined in Seychelles' building regulations. Inspections by the Planning Authority may occur, and non-compliance can lead to mandatory repair or removal.

    

2. Permitted Tower Heights
   Height limits vary based on the number of users:
   • Single user: up to 45 meters.
   • Two users: up to 55 meters.

   • Three or more users: up to 65 meters.

      

3. Site Plan Submission
   Applicants must submit detailed site plans, including elevation views and information about topography, radio frequency coverage, structural integrity, tower height, setbacks, and landscaping.

    

4. Co-location of Facilities
   Whenever feasible, new antennas should be installed on existing structures to avoid building new towers. Evidence must be provided if existing towers cannot meet the technical needs of a new service.

• Tower Separation
  Towers should be located at least 1 kilometer apart unless technological requirements necessitate closer placement, or if the site is a designated “tower farm” location for multiple structures.

   

• Security and Fencing
  All towers must be enclosed by a security fence at least 2 meters in height, equipped with anti-climbing devices and warning signs to prevent unauthorized access.

   

• Abandoned Towers
  Towers that are unused for 12 consecutive months must be removed by the owner within 90 days. If the owner fails to comply, the Planning Authority will remove the tower at the owner’s expense.

Each communication tower and antenna system is subject to a review every ten years to ensure that its height, location, and equipment remain necessary. Changes in service needs or technological advances may result in adjustments to the infrastructure.