Centralised planning database to aid with broadband rollout 'unlikely' to happen, says expert

Actix, a company which helps telecoms operators to optimise their network coverage, has suggested that the creation of a centralised planning database would help speed up the rollout of '4G' mobile broadband services. However, real estate law specialist Suzanne Gill said it is unrealistic to think that such a database would be formed given the time and resources needed to create and maintain it.

"The introduction of a centralised planning database would mean that every single listed building, every conservation area and every local change to permitted development rights would need to be logged and updated," Gill said. "This is an enormous task."

"The simplification of planning applications is a laudable aim, but I think it's unlikely that either central or local government has the resources to deal with a task of this nature. Many local authorities operate an online planning portal, which serves a similar purpose for their area," she said.

Actix welcomed Government plans, announced last month, to relax planning rules in order to speed up the deployment of network infrastructure required to deliver '4G' broadband services across the country, but it urged it go beyond what it has originally proposed. A centralised planning database would assist mobile network operators in making decisions about where to deploy infrastructure needed to meet the growing demand for '4G' broadband services, it.

"Easing planning regulations will help operators deliver faster and more robust networks to subscribers who already exhibit an unparalleled demand for mobile data," Actix said. "But the reality of planning controls and regulations will always impact on the perfect network scenario. Mobile network engineers need every tool to maximise the use of existing structures and buildings, such as deploying the latest in small cell technology, whilst having to meet permitted development rights for mobile communications."

"Where DCMS can make a considerable difference is by supporting the provision of a dedicated, centralised planning database. This would allow platforms, such as Actix’s, to draw down the latest government planning information and correlate it with live network analytics, streamlining and speeding up identification of critical locations where small cells can be deployed. Ready access to zoned planning regulations, which can be instantly mapped in real time against subscriber hotspots or network holes with poor or no coverage, would help accelerate network planning and resolve connection issues," it said.

"Requests to locate infrastructure in protected locations, such as heritage sites or sites of special scientific interest, would be instantly avoided, simplifying the approval processes when locating key new infrastructure to support 4G network roll out," Actix added. "Being able to accurately plan for 4G roll out makes the process quicker and more cost effective, while ensuring the subscriber experience of the network for both voice and data is of the highest quality."