5G phone mast planned near Wrexham supermarket to boost local connectivity

A new 5G phone mast could soon be installed near a Wrexham supermarket in a bid to improve local connectivity.

Cornerstone, the UK’s leading mobile infrastructure services company, has submitted plans to fix the infrastructure on Ruthin Road – adjacent to Morrisons.

The company, which acquires, manages and own over 20,000 sites, plans to install a 20m high monopole, six antennas, one cabinet and a transmission dish on the footway at Ruthin Road.

In an application submitted to the local authority, Cornerstone state: “As part of VF’s (Vodafone Limited UK) continued network improvement program, there is a specific requirement for a new installation at this location to provide improved 4G and new 5G coverage and capacity, ensuring that this area of Wrexham has access to the latest technologies.

“This is fully in line with the Government’s aim to ensure that everyone is connected to the superhighway.

“As part of Cornerstone’s network improvement programme, Vodafone Ltd UK (VF) is in the process of progressing a number of suitable sites for radio base stations, which will provide improved 4G coverage and capacity and new 5G service provision.

“This is fully in line with the Government’s aim to ensure that everyone is connected to the superhighway.

“Vodafone requires the latest 4G coverage and capacity and the new 5G technology for its network in this cell area. The operator is limited in siting options as there is a requirement to fill the existing gap in the operator’s network in this area of southwest Wrexham.

“The proposal compromises of the installation of 20m high monopole, six antennas, one equipment cabinet, one meter cabinet, one transmission dish and ancillary thereto development including GPS module.

“The proposed radio base station is situated on the footway of Ruthin Road, southwest of the city centre, in a mixed-use area comprising a blend of commercial and residential properties.

“The site selection aimed to minimise visual impact while ensuring optimal coverage of the target area.”

They add that “without this site and provision of the improved coverage, the operator’s customers will not be able to use their handheld devices as intended.”

Several alternative sites were also considered for the infrastructure, including on Victoria Road, on the roof of Coleg Cambria on Bersham Road, on top of Aldi on Ruthin Road and on the Wrexham Maelor Hospital roof.

However these sites were dismissed due to being unsuitable and unable to provide the level of coverage needed.

The applicants add: “The proposed site has been carefully site on a footway of Ruthin Road in a mixed-use area where it will be seen in a context of other vertical elements of street furniture to ensure that it will not look alien.

“The other elements of street furniture and semi-mature and mature trees in a wider area will help to assimilate the proposed radio base station with the surrounding area.

“The proposed height at 20m is essential in order for the antennas to clear the surrounding urban clutter, trees and ensure the antennas are able to reach the target coverage area, to provide new high quality 4G and 5G service provision to Ruthin Road and the surrounding area.

“If the height of the column were to be reduced then the antennas would not be able to operate effectively, leading to a degraded service for the operator’s customers especially for the higher frequency technologies including the latest 4G technology and new 5G service provision.”

The application will be considered for approval by Wrexham Council at a later date.