Guernsey Mobile Operator Cleverly Disguises Tower as a Yacht Mast
Mobile operator and broadband ISP Sure has successfully managed to improve the 4G and 5G signal across the north of Guernsey (English Channel Island) by hiding a new mast in plain sight, which was achieved by deploying the new infrastructure in a marina and making it look like a tall white yacht mast.
Trying to hide or disguise large mobile masts is rarely an easy task. Over the years we’ve seen various attempts at concealment, some of which work better than others (e.g. painting them to blend in with the landscape or making their structure look like weird trees).
However, we think the latest approach on the island of Guernsey, which is a self-governing British Crown dependency, deserves a particular mention. According to the Bailiwick Express (see for picture), engineers working for Sure were able to construct and deploy a mobile mast that more closely resembles a white yacht mast, which was then erected in the middle of Beaucette Marina.
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Once the planned bunting (flags) have been added to the top, then it will probably become even harder to identify it as a mobile mast without a second glance.
Adi Byrne, Mobile Engineer at Sure, said:
“In today’s digital age, reliable network coverage is crucial for everything from staying connected with loved ones to conducting business efficiently. We have ensured that St Sampson and the Vale have enhanced mobile network coverage. We are committed to not only improving Guernsey’s connectivity, but also respecting the island’s natural beauty.”
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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Not the first time this has been done though.
There used to be an old Orange 2G mast at Kip Marina, Inverkip that looked like a yacht mast. It has since been upgraded to 4G but the original can still be seen using street view.
What a brilliant idea. Full marks to someone for considering the visual impact these things have and doing something about it.
wonder if they are going to put the ground equipment in a shape of a boat hull
Great to see an operator show consideration for a community. Take note Three & IX Wireless.
Well having working mobile signal is taking consideration for a community… people in this country on this drive me mad.
@Jimmy – exactly.
I can only shake my head in absolute disbelief when I read articles such as these.
That’s nothing. A 3 mast in Banbury disguised itself as a flaming beacon last week.
This is a considerate approach , pity there was no picture to show the effect . However I wonder ,how 500 telegraph poles in our small historic town could be disguised ,especially when they were not needed in the first place ,if infrastructure had been shared ,underground and by the existing incumbent telegraph poles . This has been repeated and worse in many towns , villages of the East Riding of Yorkshire and the city of Hull
Yes, I suppose like the highly successful and cheap HS2 (!!!) it could all be buried in the ground. A little extra cost, to say the least.
Community Fibre has used Openreach’s poles on my street, delivering an excellent service for a low enough rate. I can’t say I love or hate telegraph poles – why they would bother people to deliver something useful at a cheap rate, I simply don’t understand.
Picture is in the link within the article
Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire had 2G flagpoles on the rooftop for Vodafone & O2 for many years. As you entered the driveway to approach the main building, the cell ID “Gleneagles” would appear on your Vodafone handset display.