The UK government has started a consultation about its plans to speed up the roll-out of mobile broadband services in England. Its consultation document, entitled ‘Mobile connectivity in England’, sets out proposed changes to planning regulations. This would make it easier and quicker for networks to erect new masts and put other antennae on buildings.
Ambiguity and inconsistency would be removed from current legislation. Other key proposals include amending rules to allow an antenna to be installed further back from the edge of a building, making it less obvious from the ground. In addition, they’d make it easier to allow wall mounting, including the use of small wall-mounted microcells.
Ed Vaizey MP, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, said “Broadband is essential for driving economic growth and we are transforming broadband in the UK by tripling speeds and getting 10 million more homes and business online. We know that broadband is a key plank of business infrastructure and essential to creating jobs. Demand for mobile broadband in particular is increasing at a phenomenal rate. We need to ensure that businesses and individuals can access this as soon as possible, if its full potential as driver for growth is to be realised.”
The six-week consultation period ends on 14th June 2013.
[Mobile connectivity in England consultation]