Mobile coverage is set to improve across Denbighshire under new council-backed plans.
Denbighshire County Council’s ICT team is leading the project, which aims to enhance mobile network reach by making council-owned assets—primarily street lighting columns—available for the installation of small-cell mobile technology.
Helen Vaughan-Evans, Head of Corporate Support Service: Performance, Digital & Assets, said: "This innovative work really has the potential to support our residents and businesses across Denbighshire.
"By allowing this technology onto our assets we can help boost digital connectivity for all, which is so critical to the way we now live.
"Installing small cell technology into our towns has the benefits of helping existing businesses connect better and also encouraging more business investment in the area.
"Where operators choose to deploy equipment on rural assets, this infrastructure can also help improve connectivity for residents who have historically experienced more limited access, helping to progress a minimum digital living standard across our County."
Small cells are compact radio access points that improve mobile signal and increase network capacity without the need for large-scale infrastructure.
Once an agreement is signed, mobile network operators will assess whether installing small cells on council assets would help expand their networks in targeted areas.
The scheme will operate at no cost to the council. Operators will pay an agreed annual fee for each asset used and cover all expenses related to installation, maintenance, surveys, power supply, and equipment removal.
Each Open Access Agreement will cover an initial 15‑year term, providing long-term certainty for both the council and network operators.
The council will retain full control over which assets can be used, ensuring placements meet technical, safety, and operational standards.
Operators will also be required to hold appropriate insurance and indemnify the council against any damage or loss resulting from their equipment or activities.
The council said the project aims to benefit both urban and rural areas by improving connectivity for those with historically limited digital access.
The ICT team recently presented the scheme to the council’s Democratic Services Committee, highlighting its potential to improve communication infrastructure across the county.
Share