Clarke Telecom - email response to queries 30/01/2023

It is a densification project for the operator’s network to fill holes in service provision including coverage and capacity. This will enable the operator’s customers to be able to use their handheld devices without calls being dropped or buffering occurring where there is a gap in the operator’s network coverage and capacity ability. A site in this location will fill the gap in service provision and provide high quality, reliable, advanced 4G and 5G to this area. The search area for the proposed site is small due to the operator’s requirement to fill the hole in coverage to fix coverage and capacity issues. The coverage plot below presents current lack of coverage for the operator’s network.

Mobile phone base stations operate on a low power and accordingly base stations therefore need to be located in the areas they are required to serve. Increasingly, people are also using their mobiles in their homes, and this means the operator needs to position base stations in, or close to, residential areas. The proposed mast due to its design will be able to serve only one operator, which is CK Hutchinson Networks (UK) Ltd (commonly known as Three). The proposed new mast has been sited and designed in order to provide 5G coverage and to fill the hole in coverage for this mobile network. At present it is paramount that digital connectivity is supported and maintained throughout the country. The current proposal therefore provides such additional capacity to the network whilst still promoting the improved 5G technology.

The Code of Practice set out the importance of the connectivity in paragraphs 8 – 12:

‘8.Digital connectivity is vital to enable people to stay connected and businesses to grow. Fast, reliable digital connectivity can deliver economic, social and well-being benefits for the whole of the UK.

9.As the demand for mobile data in the United Kingdom is increasing rapidly, it is important that everyone has access to dependable and consistent mobile coverage where they live, work and travel.

10.The Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review (FTIR) and the National Infrastructure Strategy set out the government’s long-term strategy for meeting its digital connectivity targets and delivering high quality, reliable digital infrastructure that works across the UK[1].

11.The government has committed to extending mobile coverage across the UK. The government has committed to extending mobile coverage across the UK. The government’s Levelling Up White Paper has set a mission that the UK will have nationwide 4G coverage, with 5G coverage for the majority of the population by 2030. In support of this, the government and the UK’s mobile network operators agreed a £1 billion Shared Rural Network deal to extend 4G mobile geographical coverage to 95% of the UK by the end of the programme.

12.Next Generation Mobile Technologies: A 5G Strategy for the UK, and the update to this, set out the government’s ambition for the UK to be a global leader in 5G to take early advantage of its potential and help to create a world-leading digital economy that works for everyone. The government also wants businesses and communities to benefit from investments in 5G as soon as possible. Through the government’s 5G Testbeds and Trials programme we have seen its value to manufacturing, farming, transport networks and healthcare.

Also, The Code of Practice notes that new ground-based masts will sometimes be required to accommodate the ever-increasing coverage and capacity needs of the country. 4G and 5G are likely to require further network densification in order to meet growing customer demand for data. Where higher frequencies are used, with lower signal propagation characteristics, apparatus will need to be located in closer proximity to user devices. The type of mast deployed will depend upon the location and setting, as well as the coverage requirements of the site. Therefore, the site at this location will help to meet the government objectives in providing digital connectivity throughout the UK. It is a densification project for the Three operator; therefore the construction cost will be covered by them.

The Frenchmans Lane – Wotton Farm wasn’t taken consideration as it’s located to far to the north in order to provide coverage to the coverage target area; an installation outside this search area, regardless of whether there are existing sites, would not allow the operator to provide their desired level of coverage and therefore would not adequately maintain and provide new coverage and capacity. The current location was chosen by the radio planner, as it’s the most optimal to provide required coverage. There’s not going to be a rental income from the site, as the land on which it’s proposed to be located belongs to the Cornwall Highways.

31st January 2023