5G mobile phones will need more masts, base stations
WITH the advent of fifth generation mobile phone technology – 5G – more antennae and base stations are likely to be required around the island, according to telecoms provider Sure.
It said it would continue to do its best to share masts wherever possible.
Its comments came as the CI regulator said it was planning another audit of phone masts in the Bailiwick.
The Channel Islands' Competition and Regulatory Authorities said that this 'regular audit' was to ensure that all operators continued to comply with recognised international standards for these facilities.
A map, which is on the Cicra website, shows the extent of phone and communications masts in the island, and while many are isolated, there are several locations where more than one mast has been erected close to another.
There are about 90 masts on the Cicra map, which covers Guernsey, Sark and Herm.
While many in Guernsey are isolated, there are several locations where masts appear to be close to each other, such as at Kings Mills, in Town, at the airport and at Jerbourg.
Cicra chief executive Michael Byrne said that it was aware that occasionally it is not feasible for masts to be shared and separate ones are erected to ensure 'appropriate quality of mobile coverage'.
Environment and Infrastructure handles applications for new masts.
'However, while Cicra does not receive and assess such applications, it does have licence conditions in place that oblige telecoms operators to use best endeavours to facilitate mast sharing,' said Mr Byrne.
