Plans go in for several 5G masts across city

NINE new 20-metre high phone masts with 5G capabilities could be installed across the city.

Telecoms giants Three and EE have submitted applications for new ‘phase 7’ and ‘phase 8’ monopoles in various locations in Portsmouth, including Paulsgrove and Southsea.

As part of the applications, additional ancillary works will need to be carried out around the masts to allow them to be installed, as well as equipment cabinets at their bases.

A spokesman for Three said the rollout was ‘vital’ to city residents and businesses.

He said: ‘5G and improved 4G rollout is vital for residents and businesses of Portsmouth.

‘We want to offer the community a reliable network experience. Our submission for new masts in the area, as well as the upgrade of other sites, will be critical to making that happen.

‘5G will enable transformative technologies to be deployed across key industries that will make everyone’s lives better.

‘5G’s super-fast speeds, capacity and low-latency could have a huge impact across our health services, in our manufacturing processes and overall in improving the nation’s productivity.

‘For Three customers specifically, 5G technology will provide the capacity to meet the anticipated future demand for data, with UK consumers expected to be using 13 times more mobile data in 2025 than today.’

It comes as there were reports that 77 mobile phone masts across the UK had been attacked over a debunked conspiracy theory that they are linked to coronavirus.

Workers installing the masts have also been subjected to physical violence while putting them up.

The Three spokesman added that there is ‘no relationship whatsoever’ between 5G mobile signals and coronavirus.

Applications have been made for the phone masts in Southampton Road, the junction of London Road and Southwick Hill Road, the junction of New Road and George Street, Long Curtain Road, Allaway Avenue, Festing Road, the junction of Copnor Road and Norway Road, the junction of Fratton Way and Goldsmith Avenue, and the junction of Bonfire Corner and Cumberland Street.

The outcome of the applications will be decided either by a council officer or by the council’s planning committee during a meeting.

Residents can comment on the applications via the Portsmouth City Council website.

Gosport has already seen the installation of 5G masts.