Glasgow City Council signs first agreement in new initiative to boost mobile connectivity and coverage

Glasgow City Council signs first agreement in new initiative to boost mobile connectivity and coverage.

Glasgow City Council has signed a set of ground-breaking new agreements with Cornerstone to deploy new mobile infrastructure sites. Cornerstone, the UK’s leading mobile infrastructure services company worked with Glasgow City Council supported by Infralink, to establish a lease agreement template to make it quicker and simpler to roll-out 4G and 5G throughout Glasgow.

In October 2020, Glasgow City Council launched its dedicated Telecoms Unit, applying inhouse process improvements and standardised site pricing / legal documents to create time and cost saving efficiencies. This new joint initiative extends the benefits of standardisation by adding efficient and proven design into the mix. Cornerstone has successfully deployed roadside poles and associated cabinets known as “Streetworks” on adopted pavements as an effective solution designed to deliver connectivity in urban environments.

Glasgow’s joint initiative with Cornerstone examined how use of Council grass verges and “Streetworks” protocols could be combined to support faster, more efficient deployment in urban areas. Grass verges next to adopted pavements are often unused and easily accessible areas of land. Moving the installation off the pavement on to the adjacent grass verge reduces clutter and avoids underground cables and pipes.

The initiative is an intelligent way to remove rollout barriers, providing Glasgow and Cornerstone with efficient access to public assets for installing mobile equipment cost-effectively and without delays. This solution also helps to minimise disruption to the public while simplifying future site access for maintenance work. Cornerstone’s design and planning teams followed established guidance and best practice to collaborate successfully with Glasgow City Council in identifying potential sites.

Infralink, a programme established by infrastructure experts, the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) and funded by The Scotland 5G Centre to encourage better engagement between local authorities and the mobile industry, has supported Glasgow with this initiative. The proactive working of Glasgow City Council and Cornerstone seen with the ‘Streetworks’ initiative is just the type of mutually beneficial approach that can be scaled up and used elsewhere in urban parts of Scotland, enabling residents and businesses to gain the benefits of mobile technology.