Background Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA) was established by the law No 39/2001 as an independent national authority to administer different sectors offering public services, promote transparency, protect free competition and provide inclusive service, as well as protect users’ rights. In accordance with the Telecommunication Regulation Law, Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency has the mandate to regulate the telecommunications sector, enhance and deploy services in compliance with the most advanced technology to meet user’s needs at the most suitable prices. In addition to the above, Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency has the responsibility to ensure that telecommunication infrastructures have no adverse impacts on the environment and people living in their neighborhood. The increased use of mobile phones and other modern wireless communications devices around the world has raised public interest in the siting and aesthetics of telecommunication masts/towers as well as possible health concerns associated with exposure to electromagnetic emissions. These concerns relate to both handheld devices, base stations, towers and masts. The lack of regulations relevant to these particular points of interest would result in the inadequate siting, construction and modification of numerous telecommunication masts with the risk of introducing possible adverse visual impacts to the landscape and environment To this respect, RURA has developed guidelines that will set out the procedures to be followed by operators and service providers in the rollout of telecommunications base stations, towers and masts. These guidelines will seek to minimize these effects as well as address issues that may be of health concern with regards to radiation emissions from the communication facilities. iii