WOKINGHAM and Reading are being included in pilot schemes to speed up 4G and 5G deployment.
Telecoms firms will be given easier access to public buildings and street lights, bus shelters and traffic lights in 44 English and Scottish council areas, as part of the plan.
The two boroughs are part of the Berkshire Digital Infrastructure Group, which is one of eight schemes to be awarded the funding.
The schemes are being trialled because companies can find it difficult to acquire information on a structure’s location, physical dimensions, proximity to the street or access to a power source — all of which affect its suitability to host equipment.
In the new pilot, the government will invest in software that allows councils to share this information with the telecoms companies.
Digital infrastructure minister Julia Lopez said the pilots are part of a “joined-up strategy” to deliver “world-class connectivity” to every corner of the country.
“Everyone gets frustrated when their mobile signal is poor, particularly when patchy coverage holds up important work and social calls and makes it harder to do stuff online,” she said. “That is why we are determined to get the UK the connectivity it needs by rolling out better mobile coverage as quickly as possible.
“Mobile companies are finding it difficult to get the data they need to check that a lamppost, bus shelter or public building is suitable for hosting their kit. These eight pilots will help solve this by modernising the way local authorities and operators work together in a way that ultimately delivers faster, more reliable mobile coverage for millions of people.”
The project could mean that there is less need for new masts in Wokingham and Reading. These can often take longer to build and set up.
Gareth Elliott, director of policy and communications of Mobile UK, said that speeding up the process will enable mobile operators to meet “ambitious government targets”.
“The trial and its project winners will provide positive examples of how local authorities can use technology to speed up processes and develop effective relationships with mobile operators to improve coverage for all,” he added.
Sir John Redwood, Conservative MP for Wokingham said: “Anything that improves the broadband service my constituents can enjoy is a welcome.
“We live, work, learn and socialise so much through the internet that every family and business needs a good connection with plenty of capacity.”
The 5G mobile internet connection offers download speeds up to 100 times that of 4G, making mobile phones faster and able to process larger amounts of data.
By increasing its coverage across the country, the Government also hopes that it will broaden the role that mobile technology plays in wider society.
This could enable thousands more ‘smart’ devices to be used on the street which connect to the internet and each other.
The technology could be used to provide greater real-time monitoring and responsiveness to congestion.
