MobileUK is calling on the UK Government to fund Digital Champions for local authorities to help coordinate and prioritise digital connectivity to better enable mobile infrastructure deployment and to assist with the Government’s ambitions to address digital exclusion as part of its Levelling Up agenda.
 
The call is made by Mobile UK, the representative body of the UK’s four mobile network operators, EE, Three, Virgin Media O2, and Vodafone, and comes as it publishes a new report highlighting the urgent need for Digital Champions to help coordinate mobile infrastructure rollout. The report calls on the UK Government to fund these roles, recognising the financial restraints of local authorities and the importance of digital connectivity whilst alleviating a lack of awareness and understanding about mobile infrastructure in order to improve resources and smooth the rollout of digital connectivity across the UK. 
 
The report, published on 10 May, entitled Building Mobile Britain: The Case for Local Authority Digital Champions, showcases how local authorities who have already embedded a focused digital strategy are streets ahead of those who have yet to create a plan.
 
The report outlines five minimum key attributes needed for a successful Digital Champion role:

1. Should be fully funded
2. Held at a senior level
3. Have political responsibility (be supported by cabinet-level elected representatives)
4. Have demonstrable skills and experience
5. Focused on tangible outcomes, not outputs.

Commenting on the campaign for Digital Champions, Director of Policy and Communications at Mobile UK, Gareth Elliott says: 
 
“The Government has placed enormous emphasis in its Levelling Up agenda on improving digital connectivity, particularly to reduce digital poverty and exclusion, but to achieve these goals it is important to understand the need to assist local authorities in helping to prioritise and coordinate mobile infrastructure deployment.
 
“Our report highlights the role and dramatic impact a Government-funded Digital Champion can have on a council’s ability to play a positive role in the rollout of digital connectivity and to support the UK realise its goal of 5G rollout.”
 
The report cites research highlighting that where councils have a dedicated and funded Digital Champion, they are four times more likely to deliver a smooth rollout of vital mobile telecommunications infrastructure. The report also explains that without adequate focus and funding the UK will continue to face barriers in meeting its 2030 target for the majority of households to be connected to 5G. 
 
Read the full report here

Notes

• Essex County Council, Glasgow City Council and Wolverhampton City Council are featured as authorities which have taken a robust digital-first approach with demonstrable results on local connectivity and digital inclusion – key focus areas for the Governments Levelling Up whitepaper published earlier this year.
• Also highlighted is West Midlands 5G, the UK’s leading 5G testbed. With a digital strategy to accelerate the rollout of 5G networks and to prove the benefits of 5G WM5G reports that it is the UK’s most connected 5G region
• (Figures quoted in the report in relation to survey statistics are taken from Cluttons / You Gov Report Connecting the UK: Getting the nation gigabit ready report, January 2022).

Glasgow City Council and Cornerstone, the UK’s leading mobile infrastructure services company, are pleased to announce the completion of several Code agreements to help accelerate mobile infrastructure deployment for better digital services throughout the city.

Glasgow City Council is the first authority in Scotland to sign this record number of Code agreements and has set up a framework including legal templates, processes, and pricing to enable the faster and more efficient roll out 4G and 5G networks in the City.

The agreements will enable infrastructure to be installed on grass verge sites adjacent to pavements, avoiding underground services and reducing pavement clutter. The sites will host mobile infrastructure that will help deliver better mobile network coverage and capacity in urban areas. This infrastructure will improve essential digital connectivity for residents, businesses, and communities in the area.

Councillor Angus Millar, Chair of Digital Glasgow, said: “These agreements will enable better mobile and digital services in Glasgow. This collaboration is a Scottish first for Glasgow, allowing quicker and more widespread 4G and 5G, improving connectivity and benefitting businesses and residents across the city.”

“We are delighted to have completed these Code agreements. It showcases how working together with local authorities can help provide the public and businesses with better access to mobile services and technologies.” Belinda Fawcett, Director of Property & Estates and General Counsel, Cornerstone.

“Digital connectivity is vital to supporting our economy and connecting our communities. Glasgow City Council Telecoms Unit welcomes this investment in the City by Cornerstone and their customers. We’re also delighted to see our new processes and templates in action enabling improved engagement with operators and efficient rollout of digital infrastructure.” Theresa Searle, Telecoms unit Manager, Digital Economy, Glasgow City Council.

Sean McHenry, National Planning and Community Manager at Cornerstone provides a fascinating insight into the world of National Planning.

Can you introduce the Cornerstone planning department?

The Planning Department at Cornerstone manage all the town planning activities and act as an in-house consultancy providing guidance on Town Planning matters. This includes providing advice on site identification and design or acting as Expert Witness at Tribunal. We establish processes and manuals on how we and our suppliers work and handle site-specific consultations with various stakeholders such as Government, Local Authorities, or elected representatives. We also manage the submission of the various types of applications and appeals. We are involved in various types of Planning reform associated with telecoms infrastructure deployment including providing subject matter expert advice to our customers, Government Relations departments, and the industry trade-body at MobileUK. This often involves working directly with the central and devolved Government as major stakeholder consultees in the writing of new planning legislation, supplementary guidance, and policy. The Planning Department carries out most of the publicly accessible work and deals with the public, their representatives, and public organisations.

What is the process for planning permission in Cornerstone?

For a new build site, planning guidance should be at the very earliest stage. Here, the planning agent can advise on sensitive designations or local amenity issues. This gets fed into a site finders report (SFR) and assists in the most appropriate siting option for progression. Post nomination, there will be a multi-skilled visit (MSV) (A site visit to determine if the site is suitable to host our mobile infrastructure).

From this MSV, drawings will be created for the proposal. These are sent to local stakeholders such as the Local Planning Authority (LPA), Councillors, schools, MPs, Community Groups, Parish Councils, etc. We will involve the LPA for a pre-application engagement at the earliest stage. If we are doing a large rollout with a single LPA, we will engage with them on a more strategic level, so they can understand the bigger picture before they start to receive numerous site-specific consultation requests.

Post pre-application engagement, we will prepare and submit the application or notification for the LPA. Assuming an application is required (as opposed to a notification to utilise permitted development rights), the LPA must determine whether to approve or refuse consent.

Town Planning seeks to achieve ‘sustainable development’ for the public greater good, and sustainable development is deemed to be a balance of environmental impacts against socio-economic benefit. Different weights are attached to these ‘material considerations’ depending upon policy and local site-specific sensitivities. For this reason, our applications will include site-specific discussion and assessment on these aspects, assessing the proposal against local and national planning policies. The LPA will use this assessment, with the responses from other consultees such as Conservation Officers or the public, to make their final determination.

What happens if we don’t get planning permission for a site build?

If we don’t gain the required consent, we will assess the reasons for refusal. If we can overcome the issues, we will resubmit by providing more information, or make amendments to the siting, height, or design. Often, we will appeal to the Planning Inspectorate – a national Government level third party. Sometimes, it may be impossible to overcome, and in these cases, we will have to cancel the option and nominate a new site.

Do we have different processes set for the different regions?

The UK’s four nations – England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – all have various nuances in terms of the planning system, legislation, policy and supplementary guidance. However, while we take account of these regional differences, our processes remain aligned.

What is permitted development rights?

Permitted development rights (PDR) is a national grant of planning permission that allows certain building works and changes of use to be carried out without having to make a planning application, as they are deemed as approved in law (the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO).

There are two different types of PDR – with and without ‘prior approval.’ In cases with prior approval, an application is still required to the Local Planning Authority (LPA). The principle of the development is established in law, and determination can be made on siting and appearance only. There is a statutory 56-day (28 days for some rooftop development in protected areas in Scotland) deadline for determination, though this can be extended by agreement between the parties to mitigate issues and find mutual solutions. If the LPA does not decide within that statutory period, then we are granted ‘lawful deemed consent’ by legal default.

In cases where we have permitted development without prior approval there is no need to submit an application to the LPA. We simply must submit a notification letter to the LPAs detailing our intention to utilise PDRs and detailing what the proposal is. After that, we can go on to site and build within 28 days of the notification letter.

Given we have such rights we must apply them reasonably and responsibly by taking account of local sensitivities and follow best practice commitments.

Cornerstone has been engaging with central and devolved governments over the past number of years – resulting in the adoption of new PDR in Wales (2019), Northern Ireland (Dec 2020) and Scotland (April 2021). These are all positive reforms to help promote deployment of our infrastructure. We have also worked with the Welsh Government to deliver a new Welsh Code of Best Practice (March 2021) and are currently engaging with the UK Government on a new English Code of Practice to be adopted in parallel with the new English PDRs in late Autumn. These reforms will have a significant benefit on our ability to deliver leading-edge connectivity to the UK.

What are Cornerstone’s best practices in getting planning permission?

Cornerstone’s best practice commitments are established in the Code of Best Practice (CoBP) – each UK nation has a slight variation of this, and this CoBP is in the process of review with the Government.

Siting/design best practice commitments include elements such as:

• using existing sites
• site sharing to reduce proliferation
• minimising impact upon sensitive heritage assets
• minimising the impact on sensitive landscapes
• respecting residential amenity
• minimising street scene impact
• reducing contrast by utilising appropriate colouring in design etc.

We apply these principles pragmatically on a site-specific basis.

So, as you can tell, planning mobile infrastructure follows a very thorough, robust process involving lots of different stakeholders and community who together, enable Cornerstone to deliver the mobile connectivity we depend on.

Patricia Hewitt, the former Trade and Industry Secretary and now chair of the telecommunications cross-industry organisation, Speed Up Britain, recently put forward the case for the Electronic Communications Code (The Code) in a Yorkshire Post column. Patricia commented that the only piece of legislation governing the agreements between landowners and operators should be The Code. This will help speed up connectivity improvements and help eliminate 4g not-spots.

You can read the full extract from the column below.

5G rollout in rural Yorkshire is vital for our recovery – Patricia Hewitt

With the pandemic receding steadily and post-Covid Britain coming more clearly into view, the big question we all face is how to kick-start the recovery and deliver on the Government’s ambition to create a levelled-up, built-back-better Britain.

The Government has made it clear that a big part of the answer is rolling out better mobile connectivity across the country. It’s investing heavily in 5G and is committed to covering 95 per cent of the UK’s landmass with 4G through the Shared Rural Network.

This £1bn investment in mobile is being split by industry and Government and should be transformative for rural communities across Yorkshire. And mobile has to be an important part of the solution.

Across the county, low population density – just 76 people per square mile in North Yorkshire versus the English average of 430 – makes the investment needed for fibre extremely expensive for telecoms companies.

That means better mobile is vital in eliminating 4G not-spots and connecting households, businesses and communities so they can reap the benefits of the digital economy.

Operators are hard at work already. EE has already announced upgrades to a range of 4G sites across Yorkshire in 2021, and o2, Three and Vodafone have also announced they will build and share 222 new masts to boost rural coverage this year.

The Government’s 5G plans could also be a gamechanger for these harder-to-reach places – 5G could be 100 times faster than 4G and we know the potential economic prize is massive.

Research carried out by the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) tells us that if 5G coverage reaches a quarter more of the population than the Government’s current target of 51 per cent, it will produce GDP gains of £41.7bn by 2027.

But we have a problem. The law introduced in 2017 to help make all of this happen – to make it easier for operators and landowners to strike deals that would enable the rollout of new technology – isn’t working.

This law, the Electronic Communications Code (The Code), governs the relationship between operators and the landowners who host network equipment on their property. It grants operators certain rights, including the ability to upgrade, build new sites, and make savings via rent reductions to reinvest in the rural connectivity we so desperately need.

On rent, the idea was partly to redress an imbalance between telecoms infrastructure and other utilities. Rents for telecoms sites were often in the tens of thousands of pounds each year, while the average for an electricity mast is about £150. Ultimately, the higher the rents, the higher the costs passed along to consumers. However, some landowners remain unwilling to make deals with operators because they feel the rent reductions being asked for are too steep.

Our campaign, Speed Up Britain, recognises the impact these rent reductions can have on the smallest landowners. That’s why our members have committed to case-by-case negotiations to try and agree fair deals within the framework of the code.

And despite what some are saying, the numbers on this should be reassuring. The average rental value for sites across the UK has come down by an average 63 per cent, far less than the 90 per cent+ numbers some in opposition to new rollout are suggesting.

The average rental value for sites across the country is still in the thousands of pounds. But landowners still aren’t coming to the table in high enough numbers to deliver the connectivity we need. Despite having more than 30,000 telecoms sites in the UK, since the code was introduced three years ago, fewer than 500 deals have been completed.

This is a major issue. For every individual who receives lower rent for a mast on their land, thousands benefit – the ambulance drivers who have been able to reach families in need through the pandemic, the families who have been kept connected to one another, the small businesses that rely on mobile connectivity to keep going.

Thankfully, we may now have some light at the end of the tunnel.

The Government has recently closed a consultation on potential revisions to the code. In our submission, Speed Up Britain asked the Government to remove the financial incentives that make it pay to slow down progress; we’ve asked for the code to be the only piece of legislation governing the agreements between landowners and operators, and we’ve asked the Government to ensure that operators can share and upgrade sites when they need to.

These quick fixes will make the code fit for purpose. Doing so should solve our issues with 4G and 5G rollout, and transform the digital futures of communities across Yorkshire.

Patricia Hewitt is the Chair of Speed Up Britain and was UK Trade and Industry Secretary from 2001-05.

Article taken from The Yorkshire Post, Monday 12 April 2021 https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion/columnists/5g-rollout-in-rural-yorkshire-is-vital-for-our-recovery-patricia-hewitt-3196418

The demand for reliable mobile coverage continues, even more so during the national lockdown. Working together with industries to deliver telecom services has become even more imperative.

Cornerstone, the leader in UK mobile infrastructure services is committed to providing best in class mobile connectivity across the UK. Our mobile infrastructure helps keep our society well connected by being placed on rooftops, greenfield sites in rural locations and street work sites.

Building stronger connections with our landowner community, who are crucial in helping us roll-out the infrastructure needed for mobile services, enables us to build the mobile networks required for our future.

Our need for digital services is also recognised by the Government. Their ambition to deliver 5G will benefit us with better mobile communications, allowing us to experience new opportunities. To support this drive, Speed Up Britain, an industry-wide campaign, is working with the Government to make it easier and quicker to roll-out and upgrade mobile infrastructure throughout the country.

Join us and support the Speed Up Britain campaign, helping to build mobile networks for our future.

Let’s work together to stay digitally connected.

Find out more on how you can support Speed Up Britain by visiting our dedicated Speed Up Britain page.

Press release

January 27, 2021, London – Speed Up Britain, the cross-industry, non-partisan organisation campaigning for better mobile connectivity in every part of the UK, welcomes today’s announcement that the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will begin a consultation on potential changes to the 2017 Electronic Communications Code (“the Code”).

The issue

Speed Up Britain believes the Code, introduced to regulate the relationship between network operators and site providers who host the equipment needed for mobile networks, is not working as intended. Disagreements and lengthy legal proceedings over rights designed to facilitate the installation and maintenance of electronic communications networks are slowing down the buildout needed to deliver 4G and 5G technology across the country. In hampering the Government’s ambitious plans in this area, the Code in its current form is putting a huge economic prize at risk.

The Impact

Delays to the rollout of 5G and the Shared Rural Network caused by issues with the Code could cost the country tens of billions of pounds in lost economic output. A recent report by the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS), supported by Speed Up Britain, has warned that if delays continue at their current rate, by 2027 over 11 million households and businesses could be missing out on vital digital connectivity.

The CPS estimates that if 5G coverage reaches a quarter more of the population than the Government’s current target of 51%, it will produce gains of £41.7 billion by 2027. Moreover, the difference between the UK being a leader in 5G adoption or ceding leadership to others could be as much as £173 billion in incremental GDP over the coming decade.

These potential economic benefits should be considered in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which the Bank of England indicates is an “unprecedented economic shock in modern times”. The Office for Budget Responsibility published a downside economic scenario which projects GDP only returns to pre-virus levels by the fourth quarter of 2024¹. It also predicts the UK’s unemployment rate peaks at 11%, with lasting long-term damage to the economy of 6% of GDP.

The Solution

Speed Up Britain believes that targeted changes to the Code will accelerate the process of enabling connectivity improvements. As part of its response to the consultation, the Campaign will ask for amendments to specific provisions in the Code which will remove the financial disincentives to site providers to conclude renewal agreements; remove inconsistencies between different legislative regimes; ensure operators can use the Code to upgrade existing sites; clarify the Code’s intention for the sharing and upgrading of sites; and give equal importance to the conclusion of new site and renewal agreements.

Responding to the government’s announcement on the consultation process, Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, Speed Up Britain’s Campaign Chair, said:

“Speed Up Britain welcomes this consultation on the Code and the Government’s commitment to improving connectivity in the UK. The Code needs urgent legislative reform to deliver best-in-class connectivity across Britain for the benefit of everyone – industry, landowners, government, and wider society. Small changes to the Code could unlock billions of pounds in our economy, drive the UK’s COVID-19 recovery, and make a real difference to the public, businesses, and local authorities regionally.”

Commenting on the publication of the consultation to update the Code, Hamish MacLeod, Director at Mobile UK, said:

“The Government has set ambitious targets on extending coverage and capacity, and getting the regulatory framework right to enable operators to deploy their networks is essential. We welcome the consultation on the Electronic Communications Code as a vital part of this strategy and stress the importance that legislative change follows on rapidly.”

ENDS

Press release

January 27, 2021, London – Speed Up Britain, the cross-industry, non-partisan organisation campaigning for better mobile connectivity in every part of the UK, welcomes today’s announcement that the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will begin a consultation on potential changes to the 2017 Electronic Communications Code (“the Code”).

The issue

Speed Up Britain believes the Code, introduced to regulate the relationship between network operators and site providers who host the equipment needed for mobile networks, is not working as intended. Disagreements and lengthy legal proceedings over rights designed to facilitate the installation and maintenance of electronic communications networks are slowing down the buildout needed to deliver 4G and 5G technology across the country. In hampering the Government’s ambitious plans in this area, the Code in its current form is putting a huge economic prize at risk.

The Impact

Delays to the rollout of 5G and the Shared Rural Network caused by issues with the Code could cost the country tens of billions of pounds in lost economic output. A recent report by the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS), supported by Speed Up Britain, has warned that if delays continue at their current rate, by 2027 over 11 million households and businesses could be missing out on vital digital connectivity.

The CPS estimates that if 5G coverage reaches a quarter more of the population than the Government’s current target of 51%, it will produce gains of £41.7 billion by 2027. Moreover, the difference between the UK being a leader in 5G adoption or ceding leadership to others could be as much as £173 billion in incremental GDP over the coming decade.

These potential economic benefits should be considered in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which the Bank of England indicates is an “unprecedented economic shock in modern times”. The Office for Budget Responsibility published a downside economic scenario which projects GDP only returns to pre-virus levels by the fourth quarter of 2024¹. It also predicts the UK’s unemployment rate peaks at 11%, with lasting long-term damage to the economy of 6% of GDP.

The Solution

Speed Up Britain believes that targeted changes to the Code will accelerate the process of enabling connectivity improvements. As part of its response to the consultation, the Campaign will ask for amendments to specific provisions in the Code which will remove the financial disincentives to site providers to conclude renewal agreements; remove inconsistencies between different legislative regimes; ensure operators can use the Code to upgrade existing sites; clarify the Code’s intention for the sharing and upgrading of sites; and give equal importance to the conclusion of new site and renewal agreements.

Responding to the government’s announcement on the consultation process, Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, Speed Up Britain’s Campaign Chair, said:

“Speed Up Britain welcomes this consultation on the Code and the Government’s commitment to improving connectivity in the UK. The Code needs urgent legislative reform to deliver best-in-class connectivity across Britain for the benefit of everyone – industry, landowners, government, and wider society. Small changes to the Code could unlock billions of pounds in our economy, drive the UK’s COVID-19 recovery, and make a real difference to the public, businesses, and local authorities regionally.”

Commenting on the publication of the consultation to update the Code, Hamish MacLeod, Director at Mobile UK, said:

“The Government has set ambitious targets on extending coverage and capacity, and getting the regulatory framework right to enable operators to deploy their networks is essential. We welcome the consultation on the Electronic Communications Code as a vital part of this strategy and stress the importance that legislative change follows on rapidly.”

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

James Melville-Ross: +44 (0) 790 968 4467
Adam Davidson: +44 (0) 779 384 5080
contact@speedupbritain.com

About Speed Up Britain

Speed Up Britain is a cross-industry, non-partisan organisation, campaigning for better mobile connectivity in every part of the UK.

Speed Up Britain was founded by Cellnex, Corner

For media enquiries please contact:

James Melville-Ross: +44 (0) 790 968 4467
Adam Davidson: +44 (0) 779 384 5080
contact@speedupbritain.com

About Speed Up Britain

Speed Up Britain is a cross-industry, non-partisan organisation, campaigning for better mobile connectivity in every part of the UK.

Speed Up Britain was founded by Cellnex, Cornerstone, MBNL and Mobile UK, organisations committed to delivering the infrastructure necessary to meet demand for future mobile connectivity but who are frustrated by blockages in the system of securing access agreements under the Electronic Communications Code 2017. The Campaign is also supported by Atlas Towers Group, Britannia Towers, DMSL and Ulstercom.

The campaign is chaired by Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, the former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (2001-2005) and Member of Parliament for Leicester West between 1997 and 2010.

Find out more at www.speedupbritain.com

View the DCMS consultation here.

¹ https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8866/

Cooperation is vital to make the Electronic Communications Code work. But is everyone playing their part?

It’s been three years this month since the Government revised the Electronic Communications Code (ECC). It’s been a challenging journey as a mobile infrastructure services provider, but let’s look at how we as an industry have embraced the highs and tackled the lows.

Since the updated legislation was introduced, it has caused misinterpretations and a reluctance to accept the new code rights by the landowner community. But, tribunal cases between telecom operators and landlords have provided us with further clarity. Whether it’s been about the land valuation principles or code rights or other matters, the tribunals have helped guide us on what the new code entails.

But going to trial hasn’t been enough for the industry to understand what the code means, three years on. We have certainly seen a rise in consensual code deals over the past few months and experienced the industry growing in confidence in using the code.

Still, we are not quite where we need to be if we want the code to help us deliver the UK’s digital connected future.

What’s the impact if completing deals continue to take too long?

A recent report by the Centre of Policy Studies stated:
“If the average time to complete a deal remained at 11 months (five months beyond the six months intended by the ECC), it would mean an accumulative 10,400 sites would need negotiations completed within 2027, affecting 8.8m premises. The impacts are, of course, subject to a number of variations, but what is clear is that a substantial part of the population will not be receiving the best connectivity they could be without action to reduce these delays.”*

We need to recognise that if we want to benefit from enhanced digital services and explore the opportunities presented by 5G and future technologies, then we need to enable the telecoms industry to deliver its services quickly, cost-effectively and efficiently – the prime objective of introducing the code.

Stalling new site agreements or maintenance and upgrade works to existing infrastructure can create delays and impact the coverage and connectivity within an area. Therefore, we need the code to work.

We need to take a lead and act on this rapidly to ensure we deliver public and business demands for reliable connectivity.

Cross-industry support will make a difference

Cornerstone supports the Speed Up Britain campaign with other industry peers, calling on the Government to make the necessary changes to the code. We have made progress and the Government has recognised that there are loopholes in the code which must be addressed. We are working closely with them to ensure that the code provides a clear legal framework for landowners and operators to enter into agreements to allow for easier deployment and maintenance of telecoms infrastructure within the UK.

Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, Speed Up Britain’s Campaign Chair stated: “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.”

Connectivity continues to play a critical part in our lives. Although many of us already relied on mobile connectivity before the pandemic, the impact of Covid-19 has forced us to turn to digital services even more. Undoubtedly, this emphasises the need for us to work together even more closely as an industry to improve and deliver digital connectivity across the UK. We can all play our part in achieving this.

Cross-industry engagement between the legal, property and telecoms industries is needed to make this work. We need to aim for one goal, and that’s to achieve greater UK connectivity.

Download the article PDF here

* Upwardly Mobile – How the UK can gain the full benefits of the 5G revolution, 2020. By Alex Jackman and Nick King.

Tis the season to stay connected

As we draw to the close of a year that none of us could have predicted, the importance of staying connected has never been more under the spotlight. 

Since March 2020, the majority of the UK population have been spending more time at home, most of it not through choice but out of necessity to protect the nation’s health. Whether it has been to convert the kitchen table or sofa into the new home office or schoolroom to keep the kid’s education up to date, we’ve all had to adapt. Across the board, different generations have got to grips with Zoom or equivalent technology to stay in touch with loved ones they could not visit. 

For those unable to be at home, our NHS and social care workers, teachers, delivery drivers, supermarket assistants, refuse crews, having guaranteed connectivity has been vital to ensuring our key workers have been able to keep the UK going. 

Cornerstone is incredibly proud to be part of that national connectivity effort.  We have continued to maintain, upgrade, and build new mobile infrastructure sites up and down the country. All of this could not have been achieved without the support of our Partners and Landlord community. Together we have demonstrated the collective power of teamwork.

As we make our plans for the Christmas break, stay safe, stay well and stay connected.

We wish you all the best for a brighter, better 2021.

Cornerstone 

PRESS RELEASE

November 2020

– The future of connectivity in the West Midlands has been secured for the next decade –

– Fifth generation mobile networks critical to driving economic recovery in the region –

– Connectivity crucial to society in post-COVID era, presenting greater future opportunities –

Birmingham City Council and Dudley Council have signed landmark lease agreements with Cornerstone and MBNL – the key infrastructure providers for mobile network operators  Telefónica  (O2),  Vodafone, EE, and Three – to accelerate the roll-out of 5G network infrastructure under the guidance of West Midlands 5G (WM5G) Limited.

Thanks to the groundbreaking work of the team at WM5G, both Birmingham City Council and Dudley Council will enable their communities to be among the first to benefit from investment in 5G.

The collaboration between WM5G, MBNL and Cornerstone, as well as some of the region’s local authorities including Birmingham City Council and Dudley Council, has paid dividends, with up to 50 lease agreements being secured for 5G mobile sites in key locations across the West Midlands, paving the way for more.

The lease agreements afford security for mobile network operators and provide a framework for the ongoing development of mobile network infrastructure.  Reducing the barriers and time to deploy the required infrastructure – cutting the deployment time by six months or more – will only enable the benefits sooner to the citizens, businesses, and the public sector across the West Midlands.

The biggest obstacle facing the deployment of 5G networks across the UK has been the dramatic changes to legal and planning regulations governing the deployment of mobile network infrastructure. Market challenges have arisen from revisions to the Electronic Communications Code (ECC) 2017, causing delays to the deployment of mobile networks and hindering the roll-out of 5G.

The approach has been successful to-date; and having worked with all seven local authorities in the West Midlands Combined Authority area, the region was recently ranked highest in a 5G coverage survey undertaken by independent telecoms advisory company umlaut.

Minister for Digital Infrastructure, Matt Warman, said: “I welcome these new agreements that will deliver a boost to the speedy roll-out of 5G in the West Midlands.

 “The role local authorities can play in bringing the benefits of new technology to homes and businesses is crucial and I hope to see more councils adopting the same spirit of cooperation to deliver our bold plan for a digital infrastructure revolution.”

Dr Peter Bishop, Director for Digital & Customer Services at Birmingham City Council, added: “5G offers significant benefits to the citizens and businesses in Birmingham. It will drive the economic growth of the city, offer new innovative ways of working and new business models that will improve public service and I am really pleased that we have been able to work collaboratively with WM5G, MBNL and Cornerstone to achieve faster deployment of this technology.”

Councillor Ian Kettle, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprise at Dudley Council, said: “We’re pleased that our streamlined planning processes will help to support the growth of a 5G network in Dudley when it arrives in the borough. We are working hard to make sure this comes to the borough as soon as possible to help bolster our position as a key destination for new businesses for the future.”

Juliette Wallace, Business Planning and Property Director at MBNL, added: “MBNL is delighted to have successfully concluded new ‘code’ agreements with Birmingham City Council. Having these agreements in place ensures the swift and efficient roll-out of 5G and enables communities within Birmingham to realise the benefits of 5G connectivity.

“The agreements are the result of remarkable collaboration with the council and WM5G, which has provided instrumental support in facilitating the completion of the arrangements. 

“As a founding member of Speed Up Britain, MBNL will continue to work closely with the West Midlands Combined Authority and other local authorities to bring better mobile connectivity to more places across the UK.”

Iain Harris, Head of Special Projects at Cornerstone, added: “Cornerstone is delighted to announce the completion of 18 new ‘code’ agreements with Birmingham City Council and Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council. These new agreements will support the existing mobile network and the deployment of 5G technology to benefit local businesses and residents.

“The West Midlands 5G team has been instrumental in supporting both councils in these very collaborative negotiations using the Government’s new legislation, which intends to improve connectivity across the UK. All three parties have worked together to achieve this significant milestone that underpins increased connectivity in key locations as Birmingham and Dudley, thereby supporting the UK Government in its plans.”

Rhys Enfield, Head of Infrastructure Acceleration at WM5G, said: “Our programme has already helped our region’s towns and cities accelerate their access to 5G. Getting the infrastructure in place now, means that private and public sector organisations will get to experience 5G’s endless possibilities sooner. In turn, this will help to enhance the UK’s position as a world leader in 5G technology.

“Our input in securing these landmark lease agreements has been crucial. In promoting the benefits of 5G connectivity and collaborating with all the parties involved, we have ensured a much smoother path towards the delivery of upgraded 5G sites across the West Midlands. We can now reap the rewards of greater connectivity for the next decade and have the right foundations in place for the innovations of the future.”

For more information, visit: https://www.wm5g.org.uk/

ENDS

For further information contact:

Liquid

Ross Copping 

T: +44(0) 121 285 3762                                    

E: ross@weareliquid.com

Emma Johansson

T: +44(0) 121 285 4251

E: emma@weareliquid.com

Notes to Editors:

West Midlands 5G (WM5G)
WM5G Limited is a multi-million-pound programme that both the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have set-up to develop the UK’s first region-wide 5G testbed.

Earlier this year, WM5G launched 5PRING – the UK’s first 5G application accelerator in Birmingham. Two further accelerators will follow in Coventry and Wolverhampton, and the facilities will provide private and public sector organisations with the opportunity to experience 5G first-hand and develop innovative new applications and services.

5PRING is being delivered in partnership with an O2-led consortium, and supported by Wayra UK, Deloitte and Digital Catapult.

5PRING – is also supported by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) Local Growth Fund.

As part of the 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme, WM5G will maximise the productivity and efficiency benefits of 5G, creating new opportunities for UK businesses and encouraging inward investment. WM5G is designed to achieve citizen, public and private sector benefits from 5G and to accelerate the deployment of the technology across the region.

MBNL
MBNL is jointly owned by EE and Three, two of the UK’s leading and most innovative mobile operators.  Since established in 2007 as the industry’s first network-sharing joint venture, MBNL has been providing best-in-class mobile infrastructure services to EE and Three for serving their tens of millions of customers in the UK. 

Cornerstone
Cornerstone is the UK’s leading mobile infrastructure services company formed in 2012 as a joint venture between Telefónica UK (O2) and Vodafone.   Cornerstone acquires, manages and maintains over 20,000 sites across the UK, which houses their customers’ mobile equipment.

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