Plans for 5G mast opposite Moordown medical centre

Mobile provider and communications network Three has said the mast in Wimborne Road, adjacent to Moordown Medical Centre car park will enable 5G coverage to be provided to this area of Bournemouth.

The plans were posted on a Moordown Facebook community page, where one participant expressed the hope that BCP would reject them and another described the mast as an "eyesore".

However, another resident did not see any issues and said "hopefully it will go ahead for better signal coverage".

A letter submitted to the council by the CK Hutchinson Networks, commonly known as Three said: "The proposal is to install a radio base station, in order to provide the latest 3G, 4G and new 5G technologies.

Moordown medical centre (Image: Google Street View)

"As part of CK Hutchinson Networks (UK) Ltd continued network improvement program, there is a specific requirement for an installation at the footway of Wimborne Road to ensure that the latest high quality 3G and 4G service provision is provided in this area of the district. The proposed column will also ensure that new 5G coverage can be provided at this location. This ensures that coverage and capacity requirements are maintained and enhanced.

"This site will enable 5G coverage to be provided to this area of Bournemouth. The Government recognises that widespread coverage of mobile connectivity is essential for people and businesses. That is why the Government is committed to extending mobile geographical coverage further across the UK, with continuous mobile connectivity provided to all major roads and to being a world leader in 5G."

5G, slated to replace current 3G and 4G networks, would speed up the rate of data transfer by 100 times or more.

However, the subject has become controversial with citizens' groups and some scientists expressing concerns about possible impacts to health. However, experts have denounced these as conspiracy theories and deem the network as safe as previous iterations.