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O2’s 5G network rolled out to customers in over 100 UK towns and cities

Written by admin on . Posted in Connectivity, News.

Fantastic to hear that our collective efforts with O2 have enabled customers in over 100 UK towns and cities to benefit from 5G, with rollout continuing ahead of schedule. In these current difficult times, 5G digital connectivity is a crucial requirement across all UK sectors.

Commenting on the O2 landmark, Denis Coakley, Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are delighted and proud that the Cornerstone family, working collaboratively with our valued external partners, has been able to significantly contribute to this success for O2. We’ve done this by delivering end to end excellence from site acquisition, through to Town Planning and ultimately, build enablement.

Similarly, we are proud to be part of Vodafone’s recent success in the umlaut results for 5G connectivity in London.

The 5G journey, of course, doesn’t stop here. Cornerstone will build on this momentum to ensure we continue to deliver network performance for our UK customers.”

To read more on O2’s achievement click here

The Centre of Policy Studies launches new report

Written by admin on . Posted in News, Telecommunications.

“Levelling up” agenda and economic recovery at risk if 5G rollout veers off track, says new CPS report

  • Delays to the rollout of 5G could cost the country tens of billions of pounds in lost economic output.
  • The delivery of 5G infrastructure faces many challenges, including unclear legislation, disruption to the 5G equipment supply chain and new demand challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Targeted amendments to the Government’s Electronic Communications Code could speed up 5G rollout and provide a £41 billion boost to the UK economy by 2027.
  • A faster 5G rollout will help drive a stronger UK recovery whilst providing an essential tool to ‘level up’ the regions.
  • Without action from Government, over 11 million households and businesses could see delays in receiving the mobile connectivity they need.
  • The next few years are critical for economic growth and recovery – immediate action is needed to capture the full benefit from this vital new technology.

Delays to the rollout of 5G could cost the country tens of billions of pounds in lost economic output, according to a new report by the Centre for Policy Studies. In the CPS report ‘Upwardly Mobile: How the UK can gain the full benefits of the 5G revolution’, former Government advisers Alex Jackman and Nick King argue that Government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda and the UK’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic is at risk without a faster 5G rollout – to the tune of £41 billion.

The delivery of 5G infrastructure is stalling. The set of rules meant to pave the way for the smooth rollout of the next generation telecommunication network, the Electronic Communications Code, is clearly not working as intended. Pressure on the rollout will only increase with the phasing out of Huawei from 5G infrastructure by 2027.

The report highlights that if delays continue at their current rate, by 2027, over 11 million households and businesses could be missing out on vital digital connectivity. Improving digital infrastructure supports the Government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda, by helping local areas to retain and attract businesses and talent as well as by reducing regional inequalities. However, without reform to existing legislation, millions of households and businesses will suffer.

Using analysis by the independent consultancy Policy Points, the report estimates that if 5G coverage reaches a quarter more of the population than the Government’s current target of 51%, it will produce GDP gains of £41.7 billion by 2027. It highlights that the difference between the UK being a leader and a laggard in 5G adoption could be as much as £173 billion in incremental GDP over the coming decade, as estimated by the Future Communications Challenge Group.

The manufacturing, construction and agricultural sectors have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic, and these would benefit significantly from improved connectivity. However, onerous planning rules and loopholes in existing legislation are slowing down the infrastructure upgrades needed to make the most of this mobile revolution in these much-needed industries.

To overcome these deployment barriers, Jackman and King are calling for urgent reforms to the Electronic Communications Code and national planning rules to speed up the rollout of 5G, unlock its potential and stimulate growth as the country recovers from the economic impact of Covid-19. It calls for sustained public sector leadership to deliver this, recognising that supporting digital infrastructure is one of the key things the Government can do that costs little, boosts growth and helps ‘level up’ the UK.

The report warns that without such efforts, the UK could miss its 2025 deadline for gigabit connectivity and 2027 target for 5G coverage, putting the potential economic gains at risk. It argues that policymakers must learn from the 4G rollout and remove the barriers to deployment. While 5G promises to create economic benefits through increased capacity, reliability and speed – vastly improving business productivity and removing barriers imposed by poor digital connectivity – the system is plagued by red tape.

Report author, Alex Jackman, former digital adviser to the Government, said:

“Digital networks and the services they support have underpinned our resilience to Covid-19 and they will drive our recovery. By expanding them, we deliver not only immediate benefits but also the essential foundation stone for 5G. This is no time for the government to be passive on the deployment environment – the difference between the UK as a 5G pioneer and ceding leadership to others is as much as £173bn.

“Productivity gains to business, equality gains for regions and economic gains for the country are only as achievable as the networks we can access.”

The Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, Speed up Britain’s Campaign Chair, said:

“There aren’t many low-cost ways to unlock serious economic growth, but small changes to the Electronic Communication Code could unlock billions of pounds in our economy, drive the UK’s COVID-19 recovery, and deliver significant regional growth.

“All parts of the UK can benefit from this fantastic technology – but the Government needs to act now to avoid being left behind in the digital revolution.”

Minister for Digital Infrastructure, Matt Warman said:

“It is our national mission to futureproof the UK’s networks with revolutionary 5G technology. Thanks to government and industry action 5G is available in more than 70 towns and cities.

“Alongside record amounts of funding, we are exploring how to bust any barriers holding back industry from speeding up rollout. We’ve committed to reforming planning law and to consult on whether further reforms to the Electronic Communications Code are needed and will consider the points raised in this report carefully.”

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

  • ‘Upwardly Mobile: How the UK can gain the full benefits of the 5G revolution’ is available in full here
  • This report was supported by Speed Up Britain, a cross-industry, non-partisan organisation, campaigning for better mobile connectivity in every part of the UK.
  • Alex Jackman was special adviser to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport between 2018 and 2019.
  • Nick King, CPS Head of Business Policy, was a Government special adviser in three different Departments from 2012 to 2018.
  • Alex Jackman, Nick King, and Patricia Hewitt are available for interviews.
  • For media requests or further information, please contact the Centre for Policy Studies Press Office on 07540 797875 or email robyn@cps.org.uk
  • The Centre for Policy Studies is Britain’s leading centre-right think tank, named by Conservative MPs in polling by ComRes as the most influential think tank in Westminster. Its mission is to promote enterprise, ownership and opportunity. ‘Going for Growth’ is its new flagship project, focusing on how to achieve the strongest possible recovery after the coronavirus crisis.

Future-proofing our digital connectivity for Britain

Written by admin on . Posted in Connectivity, News.

Imagine life without digital connectivity. It suddenly dawns on you how the limitations and restrictions that you would experience impact your daily life.

These past few months, living through a pandemic has demonstrated even more how much we rely on digital services. 

Many of us have been able to carry on working from home even without our work premises. We have been able to stay in touch with our family, friends and colleagues despite being in lockdown. We have had an array of online services available to us, be it grocery shopping, home-schooling facilities, virtual GP appointments, banking services…the list goes on. 

But let’s not forget, we relied heavily on digital connectivity even before the pandemic. Over the years, the launch of next-generation mobile technologies has provided convenience and flexibility amongst all age groups. As with anything, when you get a taste of something good, you want more! And that’s why the public demand for mobile connectivity is ever-increasing. 

The Mobile Network Operators are under the spotlight to deliver these demands. However, they can’t do this alone. A collaborative process is required when it comes to providing mobile connectivity and coverage within an area. Let’s focus on the mobile infrastructure services organisations, like ourselves, Cornerstone. We acquire and manage the mobile infrastructure on sites on behalf of our operators, Vodafone and O2 (Telefonica). We need to place telecoms infrastructure in the right place. Landowners, including individual landlords, local authorities, or utility providers, play a crucial part in this process, agreeing to house our mobile equipment on their land or rooftops. 

“We acquire and manage the mobile infrastructure on sites on behalf of our operators, Vodafone and O2 (Telefonica). We need to place telecoms infrastructure in the right place.”

For years, that’s how it’s worked. Operators are the “tenants,” which means in exchange for occupying the land with infrastructure, a rental fee is payable to the landowner. In basic terms, that’s fair and makes sense as far as the landlord and tenant relationship works but those rents were rising exponentially and the increasing operating costs of a site was hampering the level of investment required by the industry to boost the digital economy. The Government recognised that to encourage the further investment required, the Electronic Communications Code legislation, which regulates the relationship between operators and providers of land for sites, needed revising. And so, it was, in December 2017, intending to reduce the costs of housing phone masts and other communications infrastructure on private land. This creates more opportunities for faster and more reliable broadband and mobile services.  

Has it worked? That is the million-dollar question. Although the legislation was meant to make it easier and quicker to roll-out and upgrade mobile equipment on sites, it has not quite reached its objective. There are several reasons as to why this is. There is a reluctance in the lower rents offered; there are misinterpretations of what the Code rights mean; there are uncertainties on what the new land valuations mean. But with Code tribunal cases taken place over the past two years, it’s evident that the Code legislation itself needs refining. Although it has brought positive outcomes, the Code is not working as it intended which poses a risk to the Government’s future digital strategy.

Recognising this need for change, the Speed Up Britain campaign launched in July 2020 to help lobby the Government to close the loopholes in the Code. The campaign was founded by Mobile UK, Cellnex, Cornerstone and MBNL (the organisations responsible for delivering the UK’s mobile infrastructure). 

Speed Up Britain is calling on the Government to make targeted changes to the Code so we can efficiently continue to deploy the UK’s mobile infrastructure. Delivering reliable mobile connectivity will enable us to benefit from digital services and smart solutions. 

Let’s Speed Up Britain to join the future.

Belinda Fawcett
General Counsel and Property & Estates Director, Cornerstone

Visit www.speedupbritain.com

Cornerstone receives nomination for Senior Lawyer of the Year and In-house commerce and industry team of the year

Written by admin on . Posted in Achievements, News.

The Lawyer awards 2020 has recognised Cornerstone’s Code Team and Carlos Pierce for their innovative work on implementing the Electronic Communications Code programme within industry.

The Code Team has been shortlisted for In-house commerce & industry team of the year and Carlos Pierce, Head of Strategic Legal Projects & The Code Programme, has been shortlisted for Senior Lawyer of the year.

These prestigious awards recognise the industry’s teams and individuals for delivering excellence and being shortlisted is testament to the capability and unique talent of Cornerstone’s Code team.

“Driving transformational and business change through our in-house strategic function has presented us with testing times, so receiving recognition twice in a row for two categories, from an industry-leading association is inspiring for Cornerstone’s Code Team.” Carlos Pierce.

The virtual awards ceremony will be held on 3rd November where all nominees will join the largest celebration of legal excellence in Europe.

Cornerstone’s Code Team and Carlos Pierce shortlisted for prestigious legal award

Written by admin on . Posted in Achievements, News.

Cornerstone has been shortlisted for a prestigious Law Society Excellence Award, the highest accolade for law firms in England and Wales.

Cornerstone’s Code Team has been shortlisted in the Excellence In-house category and Carlos Pierce, Head of Strategic Legal Projects & The Code Programme has been shortlisted in the Solicitor of the Year category.

“We are delighted to have been shortlisted for these awards. Driving the Electronic Communications Code programme is building transformation within Cornerstone and it’s an honour to be recognised by the industry for our ambition and collaborative efforts.” Carlos Pierce, Cornerstone.

Law Society of England and Wales president Simon Davis said: “Congratulations to all those who have been shortlisted. There are more than 9,000 firms and 190,000 solicitors in England and Wales, so to be shortlisted for a Law Society Excellence Award is to be recognised as being among the very best of the best.

“The justice system was already under immense pressure prior to Covid-19 and the situation has been exacerbated by the pandemic, making the incredible work that is being done by solicitors across the country day-in day-out to support their clients more vital than ever.”

Winners will be announced in a series of online ceremonies from 13-15 October.

The importance of local authority collaboration to deliver mobile connectivity

Written by admin on . Posted in Adaptation, Connectivity, News.

Recognising the rapid increase of smartphone usage over the years, many local authorities and organisations have introduced their services online for their residents and local businesses.

Furthermore, with the opportunities that 5G will bring, the need for digital connectivity will be in greater demand. Trials have already begun across the UK to demonstrate the potential of 5G and how it can drive improved productivity and efficiency. 

But digital infrastructure is crucial to enable Mobile Network Operators (MNO’s) deliver the mobile connectivity the public demands.

In Aug 2020, DCMS updated their guidance on access agreements between property owners and network operators for the deployment of digital infrastructure. Local authorities are being encouraged by ministers to consider the wider social and economic benefits for bringing connectivity to an area. The guidance forms part of the government’s plan to ensure people can access better broadband and mobile connectivity more quickly and is considered crucial to the UK’s coronavirus recovery.

Read Cornerstone’s latest brochure which demonstrates how local authorities can work collaboratively with Mobile Network Operators to deliver the future of mobile connectivity. 

You can download The Local Authority Benefit Brochure here

Let’s Speed Up Britain. 

5G and health claims unpacked

Written by admin on . Posted in News, Telecommunications.

As 5G technology is deployed across the country, more and more services are becoming available, gradually transforming our lives. For instance, educators are exploring the use and value of Virtual Reality (VR) technologies in learning, delivered across the 5G network. 5G’s ability to provide real-time information (low latency), ultra-fast speeds (critical for high definition images and video), increased capacity and security can allow, for example, engineers to receive real-time instructions on how to fix a machine on a production line.

Health care is also undergoing a rapid digital transformation. We are all becoming used to relying on remote healthcare services, such as virtual GP appointments, and ordering online deliveries of medical supplies. Trials have shown that connecting ambulance crews to expert resources using 5G allows paramedics to work with doctors and conduct specialist procedures in real-time whilst on the road. 5G is also providing the necessary infrastructure required to deliver remote health services over the next decade.

However, there are members of the public that have significant concerns about 5G and health. Over 20% of the queries the Cornerstone Community team receives mentions this issue. Recent nationwide incidents of arson and vandalism have shown that these concerns have a real effect on our network of base stations. We know that many people receive their health information from social media platforms which are hardly regulated and make it difficult to validate any ideas presented.

So, what do we know, factually about 5G? 5G is like other forms of radio frequency signal used in communications, such as 4G or WiFi. Although 5G is relatively new, this means there is already lots of information on how it interacts with our bodies. Various international assessments have concluded that below the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation (ICNIRP) Guidelines, there is no evidence of adverse health effects regarding wireless networks – including 5G. In light of specific concerns about 5G signals, Public Health England (PHE) commented in 2019:

“It is possible that there may be a small increase in overall exposure to radio waves when 5G is added to an existing network or in a new area. However, the overall exposure is expected to remain low relative to guidelines and, as such, there should be no consequences for public health” Gov.UK Guidance on 5G technologies: Radio waves and health.

This year, in 2020, the ICNIRP updated their safety guidelines. ICNIRP Chairman, Dr Eric van Rongen stated ‘When we revised the guidelines, we looked at the adequacy of the ones we published in 1998. We found that the previous ones were conservative in most cases, and they’d still provide adequate protection for current technologies…However, the new guidelines provide better and more detailed exposure guidance in particular for the higher frequency range, above 6 GHz, which is of importance to 5G and future technologies using these higher frequencies. The most important thing for people to remember is that 5G technologies will not be able to cause harm when these new guidelines are adhered to.’ 

Ofcom, the regulator for the communications services, undertook measurements of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) around 5G base stations. In 2020, they noted: “In all cases, the measured EMF levels from 5G-enabled mobile phone base stations are at small fractions of the levels identified in the ICNIRP Guidelines”. Download the Ofcom EMF Test Summary.

In common with all mobile phone base stations, Cornerstone sites with 5G technology are checked and certified for ICNIRP compliance. We are increasing the amount of information on 5G available to the public via factsheets and planning documentation.

You can find further information on 5G at the Mobile UK website: https://www.mobileuk.org and from Cornerstone’s Community Relations team at community@ctil.co.uk.

COVID-19 proves the importance of digital connectivity

Written by admin on . Posted in Infrastructure, News.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live, the way we work, and the way we socialise.

We have all had to adapt to a new style of living. And it’s not been without its challenges.

The importance of mobile connectivity is not a new matter, but the pandemic has reinforced what we already know – that connectivity is an essential element of our lives.

As we continue to social distance, we will become even more dependent on digital services like working from home more often, attending virtual GP appointments, joining online events and much more. A recent research study* showed that 63% of young workers rely more on mobile internet for work now than before COVID-19.   

Now more than before, it is critical that we stay digitally connected to these services.

So, how do we ensure the relevant industries work together with Government to keep up with the increasing public demand for mobile technology?

No doubt, the Government’s digital strategy will be a key focus to continue to support society and businesses during these unprecedented times. But this requires a collaborative effort from mobile operators, the landlord community and the property and legal industries. Delivering digital connectivity across the UK, requires effective roll-out and upgrades of mobile infrastructure and we need to work together to achieve this.  

Coming up to three years since its revision, the Electronic Communications Code legislation (ECC) continues to act as a framework to help the industry agree on terms when it comes to the placing of mobile infrastructure and equipment on sites. However, the legislation still carries some challenges, and this poses a risk to deploying and upgrading the nation’s critical infrastructure.

Are tribunals providing the clarity we need?

Tribunal cases continue to help provide guidance to landowners and operators, but decisions are not crystal clear, and we are still on a journey exploring what the ECC means for all parties. A recent example of a case that caused some uncertainty was the Court of Appeal decision in Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited and Compton Beauchamp Estates Limited [2019] EWCA CIV 1755. The ECC gives code operators certain rights over land – code rights. This includes the right to install and keep installed electronic communications apparatus on under or overland. The issue that arose in Compton was the identity of “the relevant person” for the purposes of conferring code rights – i.e. who grants the agreement.

Cornerstone has now been given permission to appeal Compton to the Supreme Court. The first ECC case that will get to our highest court, we anticipate in 2021.

In January, the Court of Appeal will hear the appeal in the Ashloch case (Cornerstone Telecommunications Limted and Ashloch Limited (1) AP Wireless II (UK) Limited (2).

These are cases setting the framework to provide greater certainty to industry and to enable operators to re-invest in their networks. Fine tuning the ECC At Cornerstone, we have supported the government’s intention behind, and been at the forefront of implementing the Code for the acquisition and maintenance of our infrastructure – which is placed on rooftops, greenfield sites and street work sites. Although court decisions have given guidance on key principles during these past few years, it’s become apparent that the ECC requires further improvements to enhance its intended use.   

To help overcome this, in July this year, Cornerstone supported the launch of Speed Up Britain – a lobbying campaign calling for the Government to improve the ECC to support the swift deployment of mobile infrastructure across the UK.   

Speed Up Britain is chaired by Rt Hon Ed Vaizey, the former Minister for the Digital Economy between 2014 and 2016, and Member of Parliament for Wantage between 2005 and 2019 and backed by the key industry organisations who are responsible for delivering the UK’s mobile infrastructure. The objective of the joint campaign is to work with Government to implement specific changes to the ECC to enhance the way that operators install and upgrade new technologies on mobile sites.   

It goes without saying, digital connectivity has been keeping the UK connected but experiencing a pandemic has shown even more the importance of future-proofing our digital strategy across the UK.   

Carlos Pierce, Head of Legal Projects Strategy & The Code Programme at Cornerstone

To find out more about the ECC, visit our code hub

Follow Cornerstone on LinkedIn

*FTI Consulting, July 2020  

Download the full article PDF here

Mobile Towers – capturing the next phase of growth

Written by admin on . Posted in News, Telecommunications.

Watch our CEO, Rhys Phillip, take part in a TMT Finance hosted panel discussion about mobile towers – capturing the next phase of growth – with Oscar Pollarols, Global Commercial Director of Cellnex and Scott Coates, founder of Wireless Infrastructure Group. 

These leading industry players talk about their priorities to optimise growth, how funding and valuations differ between independent and captive tower companies, and what they think the impact of 5G will be to the industry.

You can view the video in full by visiting: TMT Connect

Below is a summary of the key points:

  • Cornerstone continues to consolidate its position as the leading TowerCo in the UK
  • Cornerstone continues to be focused on ensuring it’s itinerary is fit to be a platform for growth. This means: Right people, right data management and governance, efficient work processes, right partnering relationships etc
  • We believe there is significant growth to come in the UK from densification of the active networks, 5G roll out and then, in the medium term, small cells
  • Valuations are comparable for captive TowerCos and for Independent TowerCos – both have the same growth opportunities, the same need to invest on robust business cases etc. Valuation can be affected by the degree of control that shareholders wish to retain over the captive TowerCo and where to strike the balance between operational control and value.

Speed Up Britain

Written by admin on . Posted in Infrastructure, News, Thought Leadership.

The Electronic Communications Code legislation was updated in December 2017 with the intention to make the roll-out of mobile infrastructure quicker and more cost-effective. Cornerstone, along with other organisations has recently launched a campaign, Speed Up Britain, to further support the Government with the Code.

The objective of the campaign is to help identify how the Code can be improved to better enable operators to install and upgrade new technologies on mobile sites.

To find out more, read the press statement

Why connectivity is now more critical than ever

Written by admin on . Posted in Connectivity, News, Telecommunications.

4G and smartphones have transformed our lives

Over the last decade, 4G connectivity, smartphones, and apps have transformed the way people live and work. On average, adults spend over three-and-a-half hours using smartphones every day – often looking at their phones more than 150 times per day. From banking to social networking, home delivery to gaming and our daily emails, it is hard to find many areas of our lives not impacted by mobile technology.

Connectivity has never been more critical

The outbreak of COVID-19 has increased our reliance on mobile and broadband technology even more. During the lockdown, keeping connected has enabled our healthcare services, and other key workers respond to the pandemic, for people to stay in touch with their loved ones and for tens of millions of us to work remotely.

According to a recent survey by Ernst & Young, people are increasing the number of connected services they are using. Since the start of lockdown, 29% of consumers have used TV streaming services such as Netflix more frequently. 30% of people are reporting an increase in home working via collaborative applications such as Microsoft Teams, while 35% of people are making more mobile phone calls.

Broadband providers and mobile network operators are perceived to be coping well by approximately 75% of their customers, with only around 5-7% voicing negative complaints. When Ernst & Young asked consumers what their broadband or mobile provider should be prioritising to help with the COVID-19 outbreak, the top consideration was ‘ensuring reliable and resilient network performance.’ A measure that Cornerstone, the UK’s leading mobile services company, is proud to enable for tens of millions of UK customers.

Mobile network operators have contributed significantly to the response to the virus at local, national, and global levels. They have ensured the availability of sufficient network capacity while continuing vital infrastructure work such as upgrading masts, improving network coverage, and addressing poor signal areas.

Growth in connectivity usage will continue

No matter how we end up emerging from this crisis, the trend of increased demand for digital connectivity will only continue. For example, now that the possibility is proven, millions more workers are likely to continue to rely on remote working to increase productivity, improve their work-life balance, and be able to encourage greater diversity in the workforce.

Equally, hospitals and medical experts will want to connect in real-time with their patients to diagnose and treat disease at the first point of contact to improve patient care. Manufacturers will leverage robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and superfast connectivity to enable the remote management of production lines.

For consumers, streaming services will continue to evolve into exciting new formats, such as augmented reality (AR), with major consumer electronics groups launching their versions of AR glasses in the next few years. Similarly, gaming has evolved beyond the console into the cloud, evolving as a community, thanks to live events such as eSports.

5G networks are critical to driving economic recovery

Staying connected has become a defining feature of the modern economy and a significant trend of the 21st century. And so 5G will prove fundamental to fulfilling the potential of digital connectivity, helping to drive forward the economy after the COVID-19 outbreak.

The West Midlands is committed to playing a leading role in 5G and fibre connectivity

The West Midlands has long been a global leader when it comes to innovation. The Midlands not only paved the way through the industrial revolution but, to this day, has continued to explore and be at the forefront of new technologies. It has now emerged as one of the global leaders in the 5G revolution. 5G’s low latency (ability to process high volumes of data in real-time), increased capacity (ability to support more devices at once), and speeds of up to 10 times faster than 4G, make it a critical technology for the enhancement of so many public services.

Upgrading the existing West Midlands networks

Throughout the crisis, while supporting the 5G roll-out plans already in place, mobile network operators have also managed 4G capacity, enabling many in the region to work from home by providing the necessary capabilities for video conferencing etc.

With 5G rolling out across the UK, most people continue to rely on 4G networks to provide the fast speeds required to keep them connected.

How the West Midlands is driving connectivity innovation

West Midlands 5G has engaged with the seven local authorities in the region as part of its Infrastructure Accelerator project.

As the name suggests, the project is accelerating the roll-out of 5G and fibre to help bring forward the faster speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity for this new technology. By making access to public assets easier, helps mobile network operators improve their network coverage where they need to. Ultimately, the region will benefit from the social and economic upsides that 5G can bring.

The team is working hard to break down barriers by facilitating collaboration between local authorities and the operators. Obstacles are being removed, making the roll-out of 5G smoother, quicker, and more affordable.

As part of the project, the team has developed a Connected Map, a tool that has mapped out the region’s local authority assets suitable for mobile network infrastructure. Together with existing coverage plans from mobile network operators, West Midlands 5G has created a powerful asset to accelerate the deployment of 5G across the region and close existing 4G coverage gaps.

This interactive tool enables local authorities, mobile network operators, including their partners MBNL and Cornerstone, to review their priorities and plan for the future together.

Paul Mountford, Head of Planning & Regeneration at Dudley Council, said: “From my perspective, the added value from WM5G to-date has been acting as a critical friend and providing access to specialised support where we have lacked expertise or capacity in dealing with the requests from mobile network operators for infrastructure upgrades.”

Heather Clarke, Digital Co-ordinator at City of Wolverhampton Council, added: “WM5G’s Infrastructure Accelerator team have provided us with a range of support, including workshops on key issues such as understanding the Electronic Communications Code and its implications, and facilitating our discussions with mobile network operators.”

Juliette Wallace, Business Planning and Property Director at MBNL, added: “Working with WM5G has been wholly positive for providing education, expertise and advise to councils in relation to the new Electronic Communications Code. WM5G has been instrumental in facilitating dialogue between operators and councils.”

Sean McHenry, National Planning and Community Manager at Cornerstone, added: “WM5G’s engagement has provided the opportunity to explain and outline the benefits of modern connectivity from an independent perspective. Local authorities now place more emphasis on the public benefits of 5G and connectivity, which supports our planning applications.”

Cornerstone looks forward to our continued partnership with WM5G to enable businesses to continue innovating, growing and thriving with 5G.

GSMA – how 5G works and recently updated international safety guidelines

Written by admin on . Posted in News, Telecommunications.

In a bite-sized video about 5G, the GSMA takes a global view in its narrative. The video opens with a statement that 5G will transform all our lives in how we interact with the world. It explains how smart antennas and small cells will provide the signaling capacity to work when needed, performing very much like a flashlight.

Safety concerns are addressed through the International Safety Guidelines that protect consumers by setting limits on exposure to electromagnetic fields. At their last update in 2020, no established health risks were found for people using a mobile device, with exposure levels, including 5G, below the guideline levels. Public health officials and experts also support this view.

Encouraging governments around the world to adopt the International Safety Guidelines, will enable 5G, and the benefits it can give to be delivered quickly and safely.

GSMA issues safety guidelines report for 5G, EMF Exposure and Safety

Written by admin on . Posted in Connectivity, News.

Mobile technology and 5G are a vital engine of socio-economic growth, that Cornerstone is proud to enable. The GSMA has published a concise educational booklet about 5G. It explains the technology, how the networks operate, covers international safety guidelines for radio frequency levels, and addresses FAQ’s in circulation about the safety of 5G. It’s well worth a read. Take a look for yourself.

View booklet

Digital connectivity is providing vital links socially and economically, with 5G having the potential to keep us even more connected. Recently, we have all witnessed how important connectivity is this and Cornerstone will continue to bring you shared knowledge and industry updates throughout our 5G In Focus series.