Lampposts and bus shelters set to help boost 5G rollout

9 September 2021, 14:04

Bus stop
More lampposts and bus shelters could be used to boost 5G coverage. Picture: PA

A £4m competition will explore ways to make it easier for mobile companies to use publicly-owned buildings and curbside infrastructure.

Ways to make better use of lampposts and bus shelters for hosting 5G antennas are being explored to boost the next-generation rollout.

The Government has launched a £4 million competition to find ideas that could make it easier for network providers to attach their 5G radio kit on to publicly-owned buildings and curbside infrastructure, such as CCTV poles and traffic signals.

At present, obtaining the information firms need to find suitable structures is complicated but it is hoped a new system could allow local councils to easily share potential spots that can be taken advantage of by mobile companies.

“Mobile networks are critical to the UK’s economic recovery yet deploying infrastructure on public assets has often proved difficult,” said Hamish MacLeod, director of the Mobile UK industry body.

“We welcome this competition aimed at breaking down these barriers and accelerating investment in 5G by piloting new digital platforms that bring together public bodies and mobile operators to make public-owned infrastructure more easily accessible.”

It comes amid a range of efforts to improve connectivity being considered, including allowing broadband providers access to more than a million kilometres of underground utility ducts running along electricity, gas and sewer networks.

Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman said the move not only has the potential to accelerate the rollout of 5G but also reduce the need to build new masts.

“We are investing millions to help local councils and mobile companies work together more effectively to bring people the incredible benefits of faster connectivity as we level up the UK,” he said.

By Press Association

More Technology News

See more More Technology News

Sam Thompson using an Echo device to support living with ADHD

Amazon launches campaign to show how Alexa can support those with ADHD

Microsoft introduced the AI assistant button

More funding needed for women-led AI start-ups, report says

Westminster

MPs shown Scottish-made ‘unicorn’ satellite at committee meeting

Facebook staff lay offs

Former Meta HQ in London to become science and tech hub

A Nationwide Building Society sign

Nationwide Building Society launches British Sign Language service

Cyber threat report

UK in ‘better position’ against cyber attacks, but most businesses not resilient

Drone

Flying taxis could take off in two years under Government drones plan

Supermarket technical issues

Tesco and Sainsbury’s hit with technical issues on same day

Apple logo in window of store

Norfolk County Council secures settlement as Apple agrees £384m lawsuit payment

Civil Service roles to relocate

Whitehall lacks the skills to implement AI, says National Audit Office

Laptop under cyber attack

Health board hit by cyber attack with ‘significant quantity’ of data at risk

Children and violent online content

Encountering violent online content starts at primary school – Ofcom

Bitcoin

Australian computer scientist is not Bitcoin founder Satoshi, High Court rules

Google website

Google starts rollout of restrictions on AI as key global election year looms

The gov.uk website

NHS and Government websites should be made free of data charges, ministers told

Schools minister Damian Hinds

Getting a mobile phone ‘a rite of passage’ for children, says schools minister