Is planning a barrier to the development of digital network infrastructure? Insights from rural Wales

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the frequent claim that planning is a ‘barrier’ to developing digital networks (mobile telephony and broadband), causing ‘delay’ and deficits in rural network coverage. It draws on planning applications data and expert interviews gathered in Wales. It found only a relatively small proportion of infrastructure applications failing to gain consent but that developers did perceive planning uncertainty and constraints to adversely affect network roll out. However, economics rather than planning has been the central factor limiting rural network coverage. More fundamentally, framing planning as a ’barrier’ to infrastructure delivery ignores how planning mediates between alternative technological pathways.

KEYWORDS:

• Telecommunications
• phone masts
• delay
• infrastructure
• digital divide
• 5G

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. See https://www.5gwalesunlocked.co.uk/, accessed 11.11.22.

2. Wmr5 G.org.uk accessed 28.07.22.

3. 5gruraldorset.org, accessed 28.07.22.

4. Country-connect.co.uk/about-us/accessed 25.07.22.

5. Openreach is a company that maintains the telephone cables, ducts and associated equipment that connect the majority of properties in the UK.

6. Accessed 11.11.22.

Additional information

Funding

The research on which this paper is based formed part of the 5G – Wales Unlocked project, which was supported by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Support.