The government has announced plans for new laws that would allow taller mobile phone masts in rural areas of as part of its 5G network rollout.

Under the new proposals, mobile phone companies will be able to make new and existing masts up to five metres taller and two metres wider than current rules allow.

The government said that this would increase the range of masts and allow operators to fit more equipment on them so that they can be more easily shared.

The move is part of the government’s £1 billion Shared Rural Network, which aims to improve rural 4G coverage and speed up the rollout of 5G networks.

Parliament will vote on the plans which would allow mobile networks to build masts of up to 30 metres, up from the existing 20 metre rule.

Stricter rules will apply in protected areas, including national parks and conservation areas.

The government said that most new masts will still need to be approved by local councils, which will have a say on where they are placed, as well as their appearance.

The new laws would also mean greater freedoms for slimline ‘monopole’ masts of up to 15 metres, which are less visually intrusive than standard masts and used for 5G rollout in unprotected areas.

This could mean operators notifying local authorities of their intention to proceed without needing prior approval, aligning with existing rights that telecoms companies have for telegraph poles.

The government also announced that Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will also lead on a new code of practice for mobile network operators. The code will provide updated guidance on how operators and local authorities can work together to build communications infrastructure the country needs.

“We want to level up the country and end the plague of patchy and poor mobile signals in rural communities,” said Oliver Dowden, digital secretary. “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.”

Dowden said that the changes to the law will strike a “careful balance” between removing unnecessary barriers holding back better coverage, whilst ensuring landscapes are protected.

Hamish MacLeod, director of Mobile UK, said: “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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