Oldham MP Calls for Calm After Protest Against IX Wireless’ New Broadband Masts
The Labour MP for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton, Jim McMahon, has called for “calm” after local residents in the town began protesting against the deployment of new metal masts by IX Wireless, which is building a new fibre-fed UK fixed wireless broadband network – supported by ISP 6Gi (Opus Broadband).
The company, which has previously spoken of their aspiration to cover 250,000 UK premises with their new network (here), is currently building their hybrid fibre and wireless broadband network across several towns in the North West of England, such as Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Nelson, Accrington, Thornton-Cleveleys, Fleetwood and Blackpool. Last year also saw this expand into the Tameside and Oldham area (here).
However, the large 15-metre-high metal poles (masts) that they build haven’t gone down particularly well with some of the town’s residents, which have recently caused several “disturbances” within the constituency (Oldham Times) that involved “concerned residents, workers and the police.”
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Network operators typically like poles because they’re quick and cost-effective to build, can be deployed in areas where there may be no space or access to safely put new underground cables (this is largely irrelevant to a wireless network like IXW), are less disruptive (avoiding the noise, access restrictions and damage to pavements of street works) and can be built under PD rights (see below).
Infrastructure like this is typically built using Permitted Development (PD) rights, which means they don’t have to go through the usual planning process and can pop up quite quickly, often without residents getting much of a say (only minimal prior notice is required) – this adds to the frustrations of those who find them “ugly” and often go out to protest. In response, Jim McMahon MP has now called for calm via a post on his Facebook Page.
Jim McMahon’s (MP) Statement
Many residents have recently been in touch with my office regarding the continued rollout of telecommunications masts across Oldham.
We are seeing the rollout continue in a way that impacts residents and communities and there is little doubt the impact on residential properties as well as the increase in street clutter has been left unchecked by the previous government.
We have been working with residents for some time, but the pace of reform hasn’t kept up with the roll out. As we seek additional powers or directions it is little comfort if it comes too late for those being impacted right now.
For instance we raised this numerous times with the government, including hosting a Westminster Hall Debate, whereby the then Conservative DSIT minister agreed the current rules and code needed looking at. Unfortunately, it seems this work was not undertaken before the election was called.
I am pleased therefore that the Department of Science and Technology which met last week to look at changing the Code of Practice for Cabinet and Pole siting led by Minister Chris Bryant MP – I have asked for an update on this meeting and welcome as I have always stated changes to the code to force operators to share infrastructure, allowing a fair market without so many cluttering masts, poles and cabinets on our streets.
In the end the local council are obliged to comply with the law for poles installations, which were introduced by the previous government in 2019.
I have asked officials at the Council to consider all avenues to support residents and maintain and enforce all highways and health and safety regulations and laws. I am aware of several disturbances within the constituency with concerned residents, workers and the police and would ask for calm while the authorities do their due diligence, as has happened nearby. I know they are working hard to navigate this, and of course will need to comply with the current law in doing so.
We are always willing to help on localised issues in the meantime, for instance we held a public workshop, whereby residents from across Oldham West, Chadderton & Royton came to talk directly with operators and find a way forward on suggested mast locations, to varying degrees of success. This was the best approach in limited options and for some it made a difference.
The government are currently proposing to revise (inc. here) the Cabinet and Pole Siting Code of Practice, although this is a limited code and by itself will not be enough to “force operators to share infrastructure,” as the MP suggests above – that would require significant legislative changes, such as via the Electronic Communications Code (ECC), or the Access to Infrastructure (ATI) Regulations. But taking the latter approach could take 1-2 years and may cause signifcant damage to the national rollout of faster gigabit-capable broadband networks.
The previous government attempted to correct the ATI regulations, but smaller and more vulnerable alternative networks (altnets) said they were concerned about the risk of “unintended consequences” if changes to those rules ended up undermining their investment case for new networks (here). Such operators also expressed “limited interest in using non-Openreach or non-telecoms infrastructure” (i.e. it’s hard to beat Openreach’s regulated product).
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However, infrastructure sharing doesn’t solve problems where there’s no accessible infrastructure to share in the first place, which is often why poles get deployed. In addition, IX Wireless are using a wireless approach and this is one that doesn’t really benefit from the kind of infrastructure sharing that the MP is talking about (i.e. existing wood poles aren’t tall enough for good signal propagation and might struggle to host the IXW kit). The IXW mast/poles are also much taller and thicker than the traditional c.9m high wood poles used for copper and fibre cables, but on the flip side they don’t need to deploy many of them to get good wireless coverage.
In other words, the expectation is that any revision of the cabinet and pole siting code is more likely to require greater community engagement (pre-deployment) and stronger notifications, but it remains to be seen how far it will go on the enforcement front (i.e. updating it probably won’t have much of a practical impact on existing roll-outs).
A spokesperson for IX Wireless said:
“We are one of several companies who has been looking to install street structures to improve broadband and communication services across the region.
We have worked with local authorities and have met with local representatives, including local MP’s, whenever concerns have been raised. We welcome further guidelines and will endeavour to work with local councils further.
The industry is heavily regulated and all structures go through stringent tests and conform to industry and government standards. Where possible the company has changed the location of poles or used underground ducts. We also actively engage with the local authorities who are notified of the work that is taking place.
Many people have welcomed investment in the roll-out of digital infrastructure, and IX Wireless believe the only way to level-up the region and move towards a digitally inclusive environment is to invest in a new innovative network which will give people the same opportunities as those across the country otherwise we are at risk of being left behind.
The company has a strong record of good customer relations and we will continue to assist local communities where we can. We also aim to help communities grow and thrive and donate 20% of our coverage to local charities, organisations, schools and families in need as FREE connections. Digital exclusion is a major issue across the North and the data is clear: access to better broadband options is directly linked to improved life outcomes.”
Naturally, we’d all prefer it if broadband, power and mobile infrastructure was totally invisible, but that’s not always economically feasible. The government have allowed the current level of flexibility in order to support their plans for achieving nationwide (c.99%) coverage of gigabit-capable broadband by the end of 2030.
Many people seem happy to accept poles if it means getting faster broadband (they’ve long been a common sight across much of the UK), but it’s definitely not a universal sentiment, particularly in areas that haven’t had them before or where gigabit-capable broadband networks already exist. The fact that IXW’s poles/masts are a fair bit bigger than normal ones certainly doesn’t help, especially if one arrives outside your house.
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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 and Linkedin.
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Far too many poles and masts in UK lately lol.
I thought it had been established that code powers didn’t mean you could put up a mast for a load of point-to-point antennas, I’m not sure why it hasn’t been explained to this company that they need planning approval for this stuff.
According to the article these aren’t point-to-point antennas, it says they are fibre-fed, so presumably just serving a local distribution area.
But I struggle to see the relevance of urban wireless access, with FTTP coming along to the majority of the country in the next couple of years anyway. It’s a solution that’s 10 years too late.
I live just outside oldham and they have been putting up loads of these ‘gigabit’ poles up with public consoltation. The thing that doesn’t make sense to me is that round my area where they have been putting up these poles, we don’t need gigabit internet as the area in 2021 was redone with ‘openreach’ super fast fibre (upto a gbps). We also have the same with it being the old ninex (cable and wireless) aka virgin media services here. It is not needed at all.
I sent a complaint letter to IXwirless and never received an acknowledgement from them. I’ve seen websites talking how oldham were taking back handers from the council to allow these poles to be put up at the tax payers expensive.
As usual labour ignores the plea of the protestors
It is unfair and anti competitive that Grain and Netomnia need to spend more time put their infrastructure underground but this company just puts up the ugliest poles ever
It was the previous Conservative government that brought in the permitted development rights for these infrastructure companies and suddenly it’s fault of a government that’s been in power less than 3 months? Sounds to me like you’re confusing facts with your own political views.
It’s their only excuse and answer to every single question “it’s because of the previous government”
No. Having an incorrect diagnosis of the problem every time, including people protesting these polls is not because of the previous government. Many streets have virgin, Netomnia and Openreach. People are right to protest even more poles
I live in Oldham. In areas these poles overlap existing broadband coverage. In one street there are BT Cabinets, BT poles, Virgin Cabinets and now these new poles. These new poles are placed opposite the sites of the BT poles. As a result, when the cables are fed from the new poles these new cables criss-cross the BT cables and at some points rest on them. Complete mess.
Sounds like a so well cordintaed uk endeavour – what a mess its leading to for the future.
a) why on earth not have a consistent national infrastucture rather than all this fragnet of ity bity piecemeal chaos.
b) why not use existing – e.g. street lights if there NEEDS to be a wireless / RF proliferation ? This country’s infrastucture is such a mess.
And cost-effective, i.e. cheap, always comes back to bite later, what we need is some brunellian engineering that will be fit for purpose for a century and relatively maintenance free, because ifts of high intrinsic quality – act in haste repent at leisure.
And it’s about time service tranching broke away from teh old and look to implaement good and flexible and away from thouroughfaresn no point in building on the bad, if you’re going to do something do it right, some inconvenience now is better thatn more/repeated in the future
, unless of course your the type that like creating work, inconvenince manke more money from prior bad/quesionable ‘implementations’
These should not be allowed. In fact no new poles should be allowed if Gigabit broadband is already available. Share, bury or ### off. I wonder what the economic proposition is. Pity they’re metal I have a chainsaw.
How much is each pole woth as scrap metal 😀
If they are in any way funded by the taxpayer and if there are existing fibre/Gbit services it seems liek the taxpaye is being defrauded?
Need acaountability for negligence at least on teh minister, past or present responsible for missaproriation/waste of government (taxpayers) money.
iX have been applying for planning permission in Tameside as well, but most of the areas they’re putting masts in have Nexfibre, Virgin AND Openreach. It’s literally burning investor money for no gain and annoying residents along the way because these are giant masts which are ugly AF. Not like traditional poles or cellular masts. Plus they’re only 300mbit at most, which you can get on 5G quite easily in the area. I do not understand how they’re still in business.
Indeed. I had a chuckle to myself when the sales reps were walking the streets in my area trying to sell their ‘fast’ wireless broadband to me when I have the following available:
* VM Gig1.
* 300Mbps 5G.
* Openreach 1.6Gbps.
Permitted development rights were introduced for companies like BT & British Gas. They are no longer fit for purpose and cowboys like IX wireless & Three have abused them. Needs fresh legislation, not surprised people are so angry.
No point in having laws, statutes or legislation if they are not consitently and promptly enforced, and regardlessly sensible regulation by principle not avoidance by micro technicallities should be the practice.
A nationalised broadband network should be inplace .This is becoming a bit of a joke all these different technologies and broadband companies digging up roads .
One network run and paid for by the tax payer. Protected from going under and that way meets all government targets. Should also be non profit
I agree, just like for electricity, gas and rail network. having ‘competion’, just like we have had with energy middleperson sellers has been to see to work so well (not) for consumers, with all teh collapses / takeovers etc, just ends up withthe biggest dog – so you might as well just have 1 supplier for key infrastucture, end of.
As some ‘sales’/’spin peddlers say 2Firstly, we welcome competition in the market as it will ultimately benefit consumers” – may I refer all to energy seller market, ev charking networks /proprietaty cables etc. So successfull. Just need 1 organisation with and independant consumer focussed watchdog, with teeth.
There was one and it failed
Turns out the government is pretty incompetent at running things
Capitalism works folks
It didn’t fail. It was one of the few profitable arms of government. The problem was that that profit was taken by government to use to keep tax bills lower rather than reinvested. That meant slow expansion and delays in service.
If it was nationalised it’s likely the same thing would happen again.
i can’t see it happening up by me, the only place would be on the roundabout at the top of the road or maybe up by the shops around the corner, but I don’t think anything can be built on that bit of green.
We already have wired solutions to the premises from openreach and virgin media in Oldham which are capable of gigabit speeds. Netomnia are also rolling out using existing underground ducts in the Oldham area. There is no need for this clutter of poles, overhead cables and masts. It is a cheap solution which is taking advantage of planning rules for when underground ducts don’t exist. IX wireless don’t want the additional cost of using the existing ducts so are throwing up poles and masts! This isn’t even a full fibre solution to the premises.. It relies on an antenna on the property which will never be as good as full fibre to the premises.
It’s being said in the local groups that IX Wireless as been stopped from installing further poles.
I’ve not seen anything official so far though.
Why would anyone want this wireless broadband if faster speeds are already available? The company behind these lot are the same that we’re behind Time Computers and Supanet. They’re not even UK based.
It’s like the wild west with all these different providers putting their own infrastructure in everywhere. At least with Openreach’s network you had more choice or supplier regardless or location whereas with the current situation, many areas only have one supplier to choose from.
Have been seeing notices around my area in Manchester that they are planning on putting poles up. No idea why, we already anywhere from a heap of fibre providers in this general area (Open Reach, Hyperopic, Virgin Media, BRSK, City Fibre, Grain). Of course most addresses can’t get all of these but there’s not many areas left that don’t have at least 1 or 2 FTTP options.
This technology makes sense for remote areas, but no sense at all in built up areas.
Unless their target customers are people who live in MDUs with landlords who are non-.responsive to wayleave requests.