Devon County Council adopts new policy to support 5G rollout across the county

Devon County Council has adopted a new policy that could see 5G mobile equipment installed on street lighting columns and other council-owned assets in a bid to improve mobile connectivity across the county.

The decision was approved by councillors on Wednesday (15 July) following a review of the authority's previous position on 5G. In 2020, the council's Cabinet wrote to the Government seeking greater reassurance about the technology, but says no response was ever received.

Over the past year, the council has examined the latest evidence on the planning, health and economic impacts of 5G infrastructure before agreeing to support the deployment of small-cell mobile equipment on its assets.

The move comes as Devon continues to lag behind much of the country in mobile coverage. According to Office for National Statistics data published by Ofcom last year, national 5G coverage now exceeds 96 per cent, while Devon stands at just 66 per cent. Some of the county's most rural areas have even lower levels of coverage, with North Devon at 45.2 per cent, Torridge at 46.7 per cent and West Devon at 63.3 per cent, placing them among the lowest in England.

Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Devon County Council's Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs and Broadband, said: "Many residents and councillors from across the county, particularly those living in our rural and coastal communities, have contacted me about poor mobile coverage and the challenges it creates in their daily lives. Whether it's being unable to make a reliable phone call, struggling to access services online, running a business, working from home, or simply staying connected with family and friends, connectivity remains a significant issue for many people.

"The report highlights just how far behind Devon remains. National 5G coverage is now over 96%, yet Devon stands at only 66%. Better connectivity can support rural businesses and micro-enterprises, enable more flexible and remote working, improve access to healthcare and public services, and help address rural isolation. It could also support sectors that are vital to Devon's economy, including farming and tourism.

"Importantly, Devon would not be acting alone. Other authorities are already supporting the deployment of 5G equipment on streetlighting and other public assets, including Dorset, Swindon and parts of Cornwall."

Under the new policy, the council will support the installation of small-cell 5G and future mobile communications equipment on suitable council-owned assets, including street lighting columns, bridges and, potentially, rural locations such as County Farms. However, proposals may still be refused where they are considered to have unacceptable visual, environmental or place-based impacts.

The council believes improved mobile connectivity could deliver significant economic benefits. A report presented to councillors estimates that 5G deployment could contribute between £15 billion and £22 billion to Devon's economy by 2035 by encouraging investment and supporting innovation across a range of sectors.

The technology is expected to benefit farming through precision agriculture, enabling real-time monitoring of soil conditions and livestock. A 5G trial in neighbouring Dorset demonstrated potential crop yield increases of up to 200 per cent using connected farming techniques.

The council also says enhanced connectivity could improve digital healthcare, allowing care workers to better support people living independently at home, while strengthening Devon's tourism industry, which contributes around £2.3 billion annually to the local economy. Improved mobile coverage is also expected to support remote working and help attract digital businesses to rural communities.

In considering the policy, councillors also reviewed the latest health advice on 5G. The UK Health Security Agency has concluded there are no adverse health effects from exposure to radio waves emitted by 5G base stations operating within internationally recognised safety guidelines established by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection.

The report also noted that national planning rules already allow some telecommunications infrastructure to be installed under permitted development rights, subject to limits on size, height and power consumption. It added that any attempt by the council to block the use of its assets for 5G infrastructure could leave the authority open to legal challenge, as such action would be inconsistent with national planning policy and the Electronic Communications Code.

The new policy is intended to help accelerate commercial investment in Devon's mobile network while giving the council a framework for assessing proposals as demand for improved digital connectivity continues to grow.