The Telecoms Regulator has established a working group comprising representatives from the three operators, Hutchison Whampoa, O2 and Vodafone to whom 3G licences have been issued.
The ODTR is to develop a code of practice for the sharing of radio sites between the operators.
As part of their applications for the 3G licences all three operators made commitments to support the ODTR in developing such a code.
The ODTR wants to ensure that, where feasible, the 3G operators make use of existing masts, buildings and other structures for the siting of new antennas.
The aim is also to encourage the sharing of masts and sites where it represents the optimum environmental solution.
The first meeting of the working group is today and it is expected that the group will eventually be widened to include Meteor and other interested parties