New 5G laws announced to bring rural areas out of “digital dark ages”

New laws have been proposed in a bid to enhance connectivity in rural areas across the UK.

The government has unveiled plans for new laws allowing mobile companies to expand their reach across the British countryside.

Under the proposals, firms will be allowed to make new and existing masts up to five metres taller and two metres wider than current rules permit. This will increase the range of masts and allow operators to fit more equipment on them.

According to the proposals, most new masts will still need to be approved by local authorities, which will have a say on where they are placed and their appearance.

Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden commented: We want to level up the country and end the plague of patchy and poor mobile signals in rural communities.

“Today we are setting out plans to make it easier for mobile firms to transform connectivity in the countryside and propel villages and towns out of the digital dark ages - providing a welcome boost for millions of families, businesses and visitors.

“These practical changes strike a careful balance between removing unnecessary barriers holding back better coverage, while making sure we protect our precious landscape.”

Hamish MacLeod, director of Mobile UK, added: “We welcome the proposals set out in this consultation which will provide better certainty and flexibility to technological changes required to build world-class mobile networks.

“We urge the Government that to assist mobile companies to meet its ambitious targets for deployment, it brings about legislative change as quickly as possible.”

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