Mast 'blockers' blamed for poor mobile signal

Problems getting planning permission is a major reason for poor phone signal quality, according to a spokesman for the main mobile operators.

Mobile UK's policy director Gareth Elliott told a North Norfolk District Council meeting that objections to masts from politicians were often "a blocker" in improving coverage.

He was responding to concerns that connections in the area are often poor, with a number of areas blackspots for signal.

Victoria Holliday, a Conservative councillor, said the authority was "pushing for more investment" for better connectivity.

Elliott was answering questions from the council's scrutiny committee, chaired by Holliday, which was investigating the impact of poor signal on communities.

Based on data collected for the county council-run Streetwave project it found only two areas in north Norfolk to have "good" connections.

Elliott said the operators represented by Mobile UK - EE, Virgin Media O2, and VodafoneThree – had committed to provide 5G connections to "90% of all populated areas by 2030".

Proposals for masts often face opposition, with concerns usually including their impact on the landscape and nearby residents.

Asked what had been slowing progress, Elliott highlighted objections to proposed masts as a significant issue.

He said: "We've seen MPs who have objected to masts, I've seen councillors objecting to masts. That is a blocker in itself."

While Elliott said the mobile companies usually won planning battles on appeal, the development committee's Liberal Democrat chairman Paul Heinrich said he was keen to work with mobile companies to "try and resolve some of the issues".

"We have had cases where residents have been complaining loudly about the lack of signal and then complain when you try and put up a mast," he added.

"Our phones often don't work, and we need our mobile connectivity to improve," said Holliday after the meeting.

"We are pushing for more investment in north Norfolk. We're also ready to work collaboratively with the industry because we know how important connectivity [is] for our residents."

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