Phone masts that won’t spoil views

SHoRTER mobile phone masts that will cut the number of internet black holes without spoiling beautiful views have been developed.

The devices, which are a quarter of the height of the tallest masts, can be painted to blend in with their surroundings.

About 12 per cent of the uK is still not covered by all four of the country’s mobile operators, according to ofcom. The worst areas for mobile reception are in the countryside, with the problem long blamed on a lack of masts and cable infrastructure.

But planning rules in rural areas are tougher and it can be difficult in some parts of the uK to win permission for masts up to 98ft high – more than the length of three double-decker buses – because of their impact on the landscape.

Now Vodafone has jointly developed the shorter masts, which are up to 26ft high. They need far fewer supporting electronics and can be set up more quickly. The company has tested one in West Cornwall and hopes to roll them out to the rest of the uK.