New mast could ease Ellesmere mobile phone signal woes
Mobile phone signal could finally be improved for some Ellesmere residents after plans were revealed for new communications equipment.
A mono pole is being proposed for land off Grange Road, by Vodafone and Telefonica, which runs O2, to improve coverage in the area.
A survey of 1,100 readers found nearly 60 per cent have not seen improvements over the last two years, with many claiming things were getting worse.
Under the new plans, Vodafone admits Ellesmere currently has barely any coverage and said the monopole could help "transform the image and fortunes of the area".
Documents submitted by the company state: "Ellesmere and the surrounding area has little to no indoor 3G and 4G coverage.
"Therefore the residents, businesses and visitors to Ellesmere and the surrounding area are unable to use their 3G and 4G handsets indoors.
"The proposed installation would provide high quality indoor 2G/3G and 4G coverage to Ellesmere and the immediate surrounding area."
The plans have already been welcomed by Ellesmere Town Council, which said it was pleased to see any kind of improvement.
But councillors still had some reservations about the monopole.
Town clerk Mandy Evans said: "The council recognises the need for improved 2/3G and 4G coverage in Ellesmere, and supports the application in principle.
"However, it has concerns about the visibility of a 17.5m pole with antennas and dishes, particularly given the proximity of existing residential properties and proposed new housing developments in the area.
"The council would like assurances that other sites within the town, which may be more suitable for such a structure, have been properly investigated."
The monopole, which will be 17.5 metres tall, will use equipment to support both Vodafone and Telefonica.
Planners say it needs to be 17.5 metres to give the transmission dishes a "clear line of sight" to link up.
The company's proposal states: "The proposed height will ensure that high quality coverage will be provided to the target coverage area, without the need for an additional installation elsewhere within this cell area.
"Currently, there is a large 'hole' in indoor coverage in and around Ellesmere.
"This means that Vodafone customers are unable to utilise their 3G/4G enabled handsets for the purposes in which they were purchase.
"This is contrary to the operator's 4G licence obligation as well as the national government's aim to provide high quality communications network throughout the country."
