Telecom firm defends rollout of masts
A TELECOMS firm has responded to concerns over the rollout of ‘unnecessary’ broadband masts.
A residents’ committee is campaigning against installations proposed by Lancashire-based network operator IX Wireless Ltd.
Hyndburn council deputy leader Paul Cox said the company is also rolling out masts elsewhere in Hyndburn and has helped set up a government petition calling for them to be restricted to areas where they are most needed.
Works currently underway are to erect 8m high wooden telegraph poles, which will support fibre cables. IX Wireless Ltd say their network will bring wider benefits to local communities as demand for bandwidth grows exponentially, and their infrastructure reflects “typical” street scenes.
Coun Cox said: “It feels like residents and the council have been removed from the process. We appreciate people want faster broadband speeds. However, in Hyndburn we [already] have one of the fastest. This isn’t just one signal tower; this is the infrastructure, the telegraph poles. On Windsor Avenue and Kingsway they’re looking at about 17. There are about eight going on Claremont Road. Certain areas [of Lancashire] have no mobile signal, but are not having these poles.”
Group vice chair Stacey Luckhurst, of Kingsway, claimed an 8m pole would be located 3m from her bedroom window, and said there are concerns about unknown health impacts.
She said: “They’ve made lots of wild claims that they’re helping the ‘digitally disadvantaged’. But nobody wants the actual internet service they are providing.”
In a statement, IX Wireless Ltd said: “To be clear, our network is not a 5G network. Our broadband network delivers gigabit capable broadband services, which are available from our sister company, 6G Internet Limited, at a fraction of the cost of other broadband providers.
“The core network is full fibre and whilst there are wireless elements to the local access network, we utilise frequencies that are in the same spectrum band as home wi-fi routers. Signals are transmitted between fixed points and are low powered (for example, they cannot pass through walls or trees). All of our deployed radio apparatus is certified as fully compliant with ICNIRP regulations i.e. it is not harmful to health.
“We engage with local councils at a very early stage. Hyndburn has been no exception. All planning legislation is strictly adhered to and when siting apparatus in the street, we follow all applicable pole and cabinet siting guidelines. All residents in the immediate local area are notified of our intended works on at least three occasions.”