In reply to a post by dect:

In reply to a post by jchamier:

The UK isn't the only country ending exchange provided voice and volts, most of Europe is doing similar.

Seems people in other countries are better at adapting than we are. Do you know if other countries have larger battery stores next to every mast allowing them to run for longer.

It is happening to a very limited extent in the UK. Coquetdale in Northumberland was very badly hit by Storm Arwen with many properties without any form of electricity or mobile signal for a week or more. The local County Councillor, Steven Bridgett, has since taken a proactive stance and through his insistence all planning applications for new masts in his ward have only been granted if the application includes provision by battery back-up or self-contained generator equipment so that service can be maintained for at least seven days and preferably up to 16 days. It is a pity that other Northumberland Country Councillors like ours do not take the same view.

Just for the record, Cllr. Bridgett sits as an Independent and is not tied to following any party line.

Aaargh!

In reply to a post by mikejp:

Aaargh!

Sorry Mike, I didn't mean to upset you.

Chances are this will just result in network operators deciding not to put any masts in that need to go through a planning process.

In reply to a post by jpm:

Chances are this will just result in network operators deciding not to put any masts in that need to go through a planning process.

Majority don't need planning approval, as the mobile operators have "code powers" from Ofcom. They just need to notify and councils can request sites are moved, but not blocked. But a decade ago many locations, including rural and urban had sites blocked and often the networks have not returned.

If you find you local council and planning entries for a telecommunications development, it is often clear from the paperwork.

Edited by jchamier (Sat 15-Jul-23 19:01:14)

I may have made a leap of faith about planning permission in my assertion but this is what Cllr. Bridgett put in an e-mail to me two weeks ago:

"I understand and appreciate the situation you find yourselves in but the same won’t apply to the area I represent, as I have made sure that there is back-up generation and fuel storage on all of the new masts being built in this area and I am working with the telecoms providers to have them installed on the existing masts."

He must have more ways of applying pressure than just the planning process!