There are different types of documentation and agreements formulated to manage or administer the access, installation and tenure of telecommunications infrastructure on third-party properties. One of those documents is a Land Access Activity Notice (LAAN). These are typically posted out to the landowner, which often takes some time to work its way through the property’s operations.
A LAAN is a formal notice given to a landlord by a licensed telecommunication company for access to property to install/maintain equipment deemed low-impact under the Telecommunications Act.
One of the most common uses of LAANs in Australia is associated with the installation of a fibre connection for a tenant in a building. In this scenario, the carrier will require access via a pit from the street in the event they don’t have an existing presence in an existing telecommunications equipment room. Once there is a point of interconnect established in the equipment room, the carrier will run more fibre to the nominated tenancy. The scope of the LAAN and the information it contains should detail the cable path, equipment to be installed and the locations (what and how).
However, LAANs can be used for other types of equipment. But for more complex types of equipment, e.g. DAS, Macros and Points of Presence, it is recommended to use a Telecommunication Site License or a Lease agreement. This provides a more detailed agreement including make good considerations, break clauses and ongoing access arrangments
It is important to note that there are conditions to be fulfilled by the Telco as part of serving a LAAN. These include:
- Provide written notice at least 10 business days before any activity starts; stating
- The purpose of the activities
- Detailed description of activities including drawings/designs etc
- Proposed dates for the activities
- Steps to be taken by the carrier to protect the land
- Information about the landowner’s rights to object
- Details of any financial compensation in the event of damage or loss
There are limited grounds upon which a landlord can object to a LAAN and block access by the Telco. These include:
- Using the Objector’s Land
- The proposed facilities location
- The proposed timing and duration of the activities
- Likely effect on the land
- Inadequate Mitigation
Valid objections give rise to consultation opportunities and, if required, referral to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO).
More information is available on the TIO’s Website
Quality record keeping of LAANs is critical to ensure the long-term management of the property. Old LAANs will need to be referenced years after the fact, where relevant to decommission equipment.
While a LAAN may seem scary in its formality and language for the most part they are part of BAU business for Telcos TAS have a detailed LAAN management system to offer to guide you through the process
Telco Access Services (TAS) provides a full suite of services for landlords operating commercial properties that regularly interact with Telecommunication Service Providers. TAS supports its landlord clients in evaluating carrier proposals for infrastructure installations on their properties, including solution designs, proposed agreements, and LAAN documentation.
