An Investigation of the Sustainability of Steel Construction Technologies in Mobile Telecommunication Industry in Kenya

Abstract

The growth in Mobile Telecommunication sector has been rapid to the extent that by the end of 2011, there were 6 billion mobile subscriptions worldwide. This is an equivalent of 87% of the world’s population. The rapid growth in the sector has caused mobile telecommunication service providers to constantly roll out mobile base stations in order to meet their capacity and coverage demands. Steel is the most commonly used material in the construction of the antenna support structures. The study evaluated the degree of sustainability of steel construction technologies in base stations. Sustainability is about reducing negative environmental impacts, enhancing social aspects and improving economic efficiency throughout a project’s life cycle. This thesis focused on all aspects of sustainability of steel construction technologies in the sector in Kenya with specific focus on Safaricom Ltd. Questionnaires were administered to 67 subjects who are contracted or directly employed by Safaricom such as Project Managers, Engineers, Environmental Experts, Suppliers, Civil work contractors, Site Supervisors and Acquisition Experts. Results of the study revealed very high level of sustainability awareness but with low level of understanding of the concept of sustainability. Findings indicate that sustainable steel construction technologies in Kenya are cost effective, has low recyclability index and average sustainability knowledge. There is need for specialized training on sustainability knowledge to promote its applications in the industry.