A network of seven 5G masts has been proposed for Milton Keynes in a UK-first £8.7 million project to test the new technology.
Milton Keynes Council is leading a consortium – including Chinese technology giant Huawei – BT, the Open University, and City Fibre, to create the network.
Seven applications have been lodged with MK Council’s own planning department for officers to consider access to the sites across the city.
The MK:5G – Connecting Communities project is understood to be a first for a city and will allow the experts to test the potential for using the technology for a range of uses.
Some masts in other parts of the country, providing key emergency service communication, have been burned by activists.
This is based on ‘fake news’ that 5G is damaging for human health, which is not correct.
The council says it is following all national Government guidance from Public Health England.
Funding for the £8.7m project is coming mainly from Government quango, the South East Midland Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) (£5.3 m), and £3.4 m from the project partners.
The council anticipates the masts will be in place within months.
The proposed sites are:
MK-1 MK Station. 15.4 m mast between Midsummer Boulevard and the path from the Elder Gate car park.
MK-2 MK Centre. 22.4 m mast, near to electricity sub-station, on a verge off Portway.
MK-3 Blakelands. 17.4m mast close to the Pagoda Roundabout, in front of the treeline between Portway and the temple.
MK-4 Chaffron Way. 12.4 m mast at verge on Tongwell Street adjacent to allotment gardens on the approach to Monkston roundabout
MK-5 Hospital. 22.4 m mast at Waterside, Peartree Bridge, on Woodley Headland adjacent to a car park in Milton Keynes Marina.
MK-6 Stadium. 15.4m mast outside MacDonald’s off V7 Saxon Street by the west entrance to the stadium car park.
MK-7 Magna Park. 21.4m mast adjacent to Crossley/Newport Road roundabout, in Chippenham Drive, Kingston.
Documents on the planning website say that the network will be owned and operated by Milton Keynes Council, which has a special OFCOM licence.
“Central government, through the Department for Media, Culture and Sport are supporting our work and will be key advisers to the project,” say the project documents.
One of the big benefits of 5G is seen in helping the city’s transport network, by using data to help people move around the city.
But there are also thought to be benefits for health services, and reducing energy costs.
And once all the masts are up the whole system can be expanded, the documents reveal.
The applications are open for public comment on the council’s planning website.
