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Taking forward the Gigabit Broadband Network Across the UK

Written by admin on . Posted in Connectivity, News.

Assembly Research has recently launched a new report, “Delivering Gigabit Britain: Broadband for all”, which highlights recommendations on how the UK can meet its connectivity targets.

To launch the report, techUK hosted a webinar to discuss the key findings with representatives including Belinda Fawcett from Cornerstone, Huawei Vice President Victor Zhang and representatives from CityFibre, Cambridge Wireless and Broadband Stakeholder Group.

Driving a positive change for the future of mobile connectivity

Written by admin on . Posted in Connectivity, News.

For many years, we have experienced how the growth of mobile services has made a positive impact on us individually and our business lives.

But it doesn’t stop there.

With the increasing public demand for next-generation mobile technology, the telecoms industry is constantly delivering its services and finding innovative ways on how to keep us all digitally connected.

Although it is always a focus, during the COVID-19 Pandemic that we are currently facing, it has become even more important to build stronger connections with the landlord community, as well as the property and legal industries.

Mobile connectivity is enabling us all to access the emergency services, work from home remotely and be socially connected.

We need to work together and refer to the Electronic Communications Code legislation (ECC), which was updated in December 2017, to help maintain and roll-out mobile infrastructure more quickly and easily. It’s up to us all to play our key roles and use the ECC to overcome any uncertainties, while we carry on deploying and upgrading the nation’s critical infrastructure.

At Cornerstone, the UK’s leading mobile infrastructure services provider, we have supported the Government’s intention behind the ECC. We have been at the forefront of implementing the Code for the acquisition and maintenance of our infrastructure, which is placed on rooftops, greenfield sites (mainly in rural locations) and street work sites.

The changes in the ECC have presented different opinions and interpretations within the industries. However, using the Ofcom Code of Practice, and taking guidance from the tribunal decisions, will help us all to unveil the correct use of the ECC.

Now, more than ever, let’s work together to stay digitally connected across the UK.

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

Cornerstone is the UK’s leading mobile infrastructure services company set up as a joint venture between Vodafone and Telefónica.

To find out more about the Code, visit:
/landlords/site-guidance

Follow Cornerstone on LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/company/cornerstonenetwork

Protecting our critical infrastructure statement

Written by admin on . Posted in Infrastructure, News.

The following is a statement from Vodafone, Telefónica, EE and Three, demonstrating the telecommunications industry coming together on protecting the nation’s critical mobile infrastructure.

Protecting our critical infrastructure

To our customers,

Our networks provide essential connectivity to our emergency services and the NHS; they enable families to check in on their isolated or vulnerable loved ones; parents to teach their children from home, and millions to be informed and entertained as they stay home.

We are 100% focused on making sure the UK’s mobile and broadband networks are resilient, ensuring you, your families and businesses, can keep connected when you need it most.

Sadly, we have experienced cases of vandals setting fire to mobile masts, disrupting critical infrastructure and spreading false information suggesting a connection between 5G and the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no scientific evidence of any link between 5G and coronavirus. Fact.

Stopping this is critical to keeping your communities connected.

Not only are these claims baseless, they are harmful for the people and businesses that rely on the continuity of our services. They have also led to the abuse of our engineers and, in some cases, prevented essential network maintenance taking place.

Please help us to make this stop. If you witness abuse of our key workers please report it. If you see misinformation, please call it out. Your help will make a real difference.

Thank you for your support as we work together to keep our nation connected.

Government publishes COVID-19 guidance for telecommunications infrastructure deployment

Written by admin on . Posted in News, Telecommunications.

During this challenging time presented by the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), Cornerstone is following the advice of the UK Government and Public Health England.

Recognised as a critical sector by the government, the telecoms industry is working together to continue to provide the UK with the connectivity it needs at this time.

Having access to emergency services, the ability to work at home remotely, and digital social interaction is crucial for our communities today.

To help drive the continuous work needed by the telecommunications industry, the Department of Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has issued guidance for telecommunications infrastructure deployment in England.

The guidance outlines:

  • What the regulations mean
  • Guidance for Local Authorities and landowners
  • Emergency access provision
  • Agreements between landlords and telecommunications network providers
  • Streetworks
  • Public health considerations

Read the full guidance here.

The unexpected upside of working from home – our company experience

Written by admin on . Posted in Adaptation, News.

Since 17th March, following government guidance and our policy to always put the health and safety of our people first, all of Cornerstone’s 250 employees are working from home.

We have prepared a working from home guide which you can view here.

We have moved very quickly to create the right environment to keep everybody connected.

We began by setting up a dedicated coronavirus intranet page hosting company updates to keep pace with the situation and external information from trusted sources such as Public Health England. From there, we issued working from home guidance based on industry best practice. The guide covers how to set up a workstation safely, remaining vigilant with information technology, getting the best out of technology to communicate and collaborate with others, and last, but by no means least, the importance of maintaining our wellbeing.

To support our people in this challenging time, we have taken the initiative to provide an additional five days paid compassionate leave to cover caring for dependents or maintaining carer responsibilities, which has been well received.

We were conscious too of the need to create two-way communication between everyone in the company and we have set up an MS Team called Cornerstone Family, which reflects how we feel as an organisation. Containing three channels, the combined effect of all our actions has had some surprising upsides.

Our people have embraced their new working conditions brought about by coronavirus, showing creativity and innovation in their response. As examples, from a wellbeing perspective, we offer online yoga three times a week, or for those who want something more demanding, HITT sessions are available. People are sharing pictures of their team virtual coffee catchup’s, outside surroundings, motivational quotes, while others are organising online tea breaks for those who want a friendly chat.

That online camaraderie has extended into day-to-day working too. Managers are reporting that the desire they see right across Cornerstone to do the right thing is simply inspirational.

One manager summed it up for me when he commented that the challenges of working from home in maintaining business as usual, has unexpectedly produced a renewed team energy and increased drive. People are communicating even better than before among themselves, our suppliers, and our customers. It has gone up a level from what was already a very high standard. A fantastic example being the weekly online meetings we are having with our key suppliers to keep them updated, a move described as industry-leading.

I am so proud of everyone’s efforts and determination at Cornerstone to keep ourselves connected and in looking out for one another.

Ginette Kilroy
People, Brand, Communications and Facilities Director

What do site providers need to know about 5G deployment?

Written by admin on . Posted in Infrastructure, News.

Read Cornerstone’s latest article in the Estates Gazette where it talks about ICNIRP, exclusion zones and 5G.

As 5G technology roll-out continues through 2020, we will start to experience improved digital services in the UK. To make this possible, upgrades to existing sites and additional base stations will be required. The UK national government considers the rapid deployment of 5G to be critical to economic development.

Cornerstone, the UK’s leading mobile infrastructure services company, acquire, manage and maintain over 20,000 mobile phone base station sites across the UK. 

Our health and safety procedures during deployment and maintenance of these base stations were recognised when Cornerstone was awarded the OHSAS 18001, the International Standard for an effective Occupational Health and Safety Management System. 

The myth about exclusion zones, ICNIRP and 5G

Mobile phone base stations and devices use radio waves, high-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF), to transfer information and make communication possible. Radio waves are used for television and radio transmissions, by the emergency services, public utilities, and many more. They are used for a wide range of personal and commercial equipment such as navigational devices, WiFi equipment, and monitoring devices. EMFs are also produced by household electrical appliances like fridges, vacuum cleaners, or electric shavers. 

The guidelines that apply to the construction and operation of base stations were developed by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), following a comprehensive assessment of all the peer-reviewed scientific literature. The Government has adopted these in the UK, as well as many other countries. 

When deploying electronic communications apparatus, Cornerstone provides exclusion zones to site providers. Exclusion zones are the areas that are prohibited for workers to enter, due to the presence of mobile infrastructure. These exclusion zones ensure no one is subjected to excessive levels of radiation.

There has been some recent debate on how the addition of 5G technology to some sites may result in larger exclusion zones compared to 3G and 4G only sites, and what the impact is on occupational workers and the public. It’s important to recognise that the overall exposure to radio waves with 5G will be designed to remain well within the international health-related guideline levels.

In the UK, the statutory limit regarding exposure to electromagnetic fields is defined in the Control of Electromagnetic Field at Works Regulations 2016 (CEMFAW). It applies to all occupational exposure irrespective of work tasks, including the likes of caretakers, lift contractors, and air conditioning engineers.

Given the expertise required to assess radiofrequency exposure around antennas, site providers do not have liability for the health and safety of emissions. The operator or Cornerstone is the only organisation that has the expertise to manage those emissions on our network. 

Cornerstone will ensure that all sites in our network comply with the ICNIRP guidelines using our highly effective, 5G ready processes. We are committed to addressing 5G concerns and if you would like to find out more about Radio Frequency Compliance, visit:

www.cornerstone.network/radiofrequencycompliance

Cornerstone is shortlisted in two categories in the World Procurement Awards 2020

Written by admin on . Posted in Achievements, News.

Cornerstone is proud to announce our shortlisting in two categories in the World Procurement Awards for 2020! 

The shortlists, one for a team category, the other individual, gives a sense of the significant recognition we have already achieved by reaching this stage. 



PRESS RELEASE FROM WORLD PROCUREMENT AWARDS:

Procurement Leaders World Procurement Awards 2020 Shortlist Announced

Friday 14 February 2020

We are pleased to announce the shortlist for the World Procurement Awards 2020. These prestigious awards celebrate the initiatives, teams and people across the globe that are raising the benchmark for procurement excellence and pioneering the future of the function. This year saw a record 420 entries. The sheer number and calibre of entrants are a testament to the level of innovation and passion of the global procurement community.

Entries are reviewed by an independent judging panel consisting of senior procurement executives. Judge Cesare Guarini, Director of Sustainability Procurement, Philip Morris International, commented that he is “Impressed by the judging process and the quality of the submissions. Judging has been a demanding challenge, and a significant responsibility. But it was an insightful experience and a learning opportunity.”

Adam Weisswasser, SVP of AngloGold Ashanti, also commented on the high quality of entries: “It is clear to me that the future shines bright for procurement.”

Hervé Le Faou, CPO of Heineken, was impressed by the “wide range of company profiles and the level of transformation they are going after” and called the judging process “strong and very effective.”

The winners will be announced at the esteemed awards ceremony on May 14, 2020, at the InterContinental London – The O2. The ceremony will follow World Procurement Congress, the key gathering for 700+ senior leaders in procurement and is also part of the renowned World Procurement Week which incorporates events tailored to the wider procurement team.


The Smart Cube Procurement Leader Award, Partnered by The Smart Cube

  1. Waleed Saeed AlSaeedi, Department of Culture & Tourism Abu Dhabi, UAE
  2. Hani AlSaigh, Saudi Telecom Company, Saudi Arabia
  3. Stuart Farrell, Cornerstone, United Kingdom
  4. Kobu Kotaraju, Samsung C&T Corporation, Singapore
  5. Ruchita Mishra, Inorbit Malls (India) Pvt Ltd, India
  6. Clive Rees, Fujitsu, United Kingdom

The h&z Transformation Award, Partnered by h&z

To greater reflect the varying levels of maturity within the procurement function and across all industries, the transformation category will yield three shortlists based on whether the function is:

  • Transforming external partnerships: Pioneering business impact
  • Driving internal transformation: Establishing the function
  • Leading cross-functional transformation: Developing strong internal relationships

To develop these shortlists, the Procurement Leaders expert research team has reviewed each shortlisted entry within the category to determine the maturity level (based on their survey results and self-diagnosis that was submitted) Transforming External Partnerships – Pioneering business impact

  1. Telekom Austria, Austria
  2. Cornerstone, United Kingdom
  3. Enel, Italy
  4. Flex, Singapore
  5. IBM, United States of America
  6. Intel Corporation, United Kingdom
  7. Philip Morris International, Switzerland
  8. Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia
  9. Turkcell, Turkey
  10. Vodafone Group Services, United Kingdom

Procurement Leaders™ is the world’s largest and most valued procurement network and intelligence platform. Powered by a syndicated member and sponsor community of 775+ leading global companies, Procurement Leaders inspires 35,000+ senior leaders to make faster, more informed decisions and follow proven paths to success. Through next-practice insights, practical tools, expert guidance and industry connections, Procurement Leaders accelerates the transformation journey to greater value creation and procurement excellence. Visit www.procurementleaders.com

A full list of all categories and more information can be found at https://worldprocurementawards.com/

Cornerstone’s Health & Safety Expert Takes on Vice Chair Role at the Mast and Tower Safety Group

Written by admin on . Posted in Health and safety, News.

Cornerstone’s Head of Assurance, Safety & Risk, Andrew Alexander, has taken on the role of Vice Chair at The Mast and Tower Safety (MATS) Group to coincide with his current role. The objective is to make positive changes to health and safety within the telecoms and broadcast industry.

Who are MATS group?

The MATS Group consists of organisations that own or manage masts and towers (including all telecoms and broadcast structures) where there are specific and significant work at height and occupational radio frequency (RF) hazards. The group aims to raise awareness in health and safety and provide jointly agreed minimum standards and solutions for the industry.

What We Do

Delivering Excellence

In his newly appointed role, Andrew will be integral in addressing health and safety concerns within the industry. Using his expertise and leveraging off his position at Cornerstone, he will support the MATS Group with innovative solutions that will benefit organisations and individuals when working with masts and towers whilst also supporting the MATS Chair person.

The importance of health and safety

Health and safety is the highest priority for Cornerstone and is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. We work with our stakeholders and interested parties to share best practices and try to innovate together. Using governance information gathered, as well as customer and partner suggestions, we take steps to improve the health and safety across our estate, a site at a time.

“Taking on this new role is a great opportunity to be able to knowledge share across the industry and work together to build a safer environment for everyone who is involved with masts and towers. I look forward to exploring new initiatives and ideas that will not only help Cornerstone but the whole industry.” Andrew Alexander, Head of Assurance, Safety & Risk, Cornerstone.

Working together to improve mobile connectivity

Written by admin on . Posted in Infrastructure, News.

As the demand for reliable mobile coverage increases within the agricultural industry, building stronger connections with landowners has become even more imperative.

Many farmers of today are relying on mobile connectivity in rural areas, to be able to take advantage of agricultural technology and online services to help increase productivity.

Cornerstone, the leaders in UK mobile infrastructure services, is committed to delivering the best-in-class mobile connectivity to support the UK digital economy. Working with over 12,000 landlords, we help keep our society well-connected by placing our mobile infrastructure on rooftops, greenfield sites in rural locations and street work sites.

We recognise that digital access is vital for the rural community and therefore, to achieve a well-connected society, we believe engaging with landowners and working together will help us deliver the next generation of connectivity.

If you would like to find out more or speak to Cornerstone, please visit:

www.cornerstone.network/about/contact

Alternatively, you can write to:

Landlord Communications, Hive 2, 1530 Arlington Business Park, Theale, Berkshire, RG7 4SA.

OM5G: The Impact on Real Estate

Written by admin on . Posted in News, Telecommunications.

Download the latest report by Addleshaw Goddard, which features contributions from over 80 industry experts, and thought leadership pieces on how 5G will impact cities, housing, offices, retail and logistics. Belinda Fawcett from Cornerstone has contributed to the report, giving insight on how infrastructure plays a vital part in the development of 5G. 

Download the report: https://www.addleshawgoddard.com/5greport/ 

OM5G – Will 5G make or break your business?

Written by admin on . Posted in News, Telecommunications.

Last night, Cornerstone attended the “OM5G – Will 5G make or break your business?” launch event organised by Addleshaw Goddard in London. Belinda Fawcett was invited to participate in the panel discussion and share her thoughts on what we need to do to make 5G work. 
 
The panel was chaired by Dan Thomas – Chief UK Corporate Correspondent at The Financial Times and panelists included:

  • Belinda Fawcett – General Counsel and Director of Property & Estates at Cornerstone
  • Ellie Jukes – Senior Investment Manager at Legal and General Capital Future Cities Team
  • Ted Orf – Co-Founder and Investor at Revolt Ventures
  • Greg McCall – Managing Director, Converged Services Platform at BT
  • Matthew Howett – Founder and Principal Analyst at Assembly

The event covered:

  • How 5G will supercharge the UK economy                                 
  • The new industries that 5G will create and transformations of existing ones
  • How businesses can effectively harness 5G

Belinda discussed the need for all parties to collaborate and embrace the Code to enable and fast track the rollout of the 5G technology that will have such a significant impact on the UK’s digital economy. 

At the event, Addleshaw Goddard shared their 5G report that gives insights from industry experts, revealing how they expect 5G to impact residential, offices, cities, retail and logistics. 

The report will be available to view soon. 

RICS Telecoms Conference Roundup

Written by admin on . Posted in News, Telecommunications.

On 12th November, we attended the RICS Telecoms Conference in London, where our Head of Strategic Legal Projects & The Code Programme, Carlos Pierce, took part in the panel discussion on “2 years on: Understanding how The Code is working in practice.” This was a discussion looking at The Electronic Communications Code (ECC) and whether its objectives are being met for various parties involved. It debated whether the Code is delivering for landowners, operators and infrastructure providers?

The panel participants included:
Carlos Pierce, Head of Strategic Legal Projects & The Code Programme, Cornerstone
Dr Charles Trotman, Senior Economist, CLA
Juliette Wallace, Business Planning and Property Director, MBNL
Michael Watson, Partner and Head of Property Litigation, Shulmans

As the panel discussion kicked off by the chair, Guy Fetherstonhaugh QC from Falcon Chambers, it came to light from the debate that although progress has been made since the introduction of the ECC in 2017, there are still challenges in the industry that we need to continue to work on. Some of these challenges related to a misconception of Cornerstone wanting to take site owners to Tribunal cases without engaging first.  However, engaging with Landlords and Site agents has been at the forefront of Cornerstone’s plans, but where there is no interaction from the opposite party to discuss the Code further, the Tribunals have been a source for guidance.

The main concern from the Site Provider Agents seemed to be the impact that the Code has on rental levels. But it was highlighted that although the new updated Code imposes a different approach to valuation, this is all because we need to support the Government’s drive to build a better digital Britain and it’s necessary to encourage greater investment in digital connectivity by the Operators. The Site Provider Agents must recognise that this is what the updated Code will deliver and it’s important to work with the industry to achieve this.

Perhaps this stems from a lack of understanding of the Code? Discussing the recent tribunals, it became evident that they have given the industry some clarity, but there is still a gap whereby the Code is not fully recognised for what it is and how it can be used to help all parties. If there is capacity for more cases to be taken to Tribunal, then perhaps that is the way forward until we all comprehend how the Code works and how it will support us improve mobile connectivity.

Consensual Code deals have been done; therefore, it does work, but the discussion looked at what more can we do to make this a permanent solution going forward? Carlos Pierce says “All parties need to communicate and agree on a way of working. We at Cornerstone are always willing to have this conversation but we need the Landlord community to be on the same page. We do believe that in the next six-nine months, we will see more consensual deals as businesses and communities want to take advantage of having reliable mobile coverage as it plays a big part in our everyday lives. However, it’s in all our interests to make the journey as smooth as possible and without having to rely on tribunal precedents.”

The panel discussion did raise an interesting debate and clearly, all relevant parties need to take a bold step in supporting the Code and play their part in making it work.  It must be recognised that if we don’t embrace what it was intended for, this can have an impact on the quality of our mobile services and the demand for 5G in the UK. This cannot be allowed to happen.