SCF publish guide to help UK local authorities understand mobile small cells

The Small Cell Forum (SCF), which is a trade organisation that works to help accelerate the roll-out of related mobile networks, has today published the first part of a new guide to help UK Local Authorities understand how small cells can support better mobile connectivity in their towns and cities.

Small cells are mini shoebox sized mobile (radio) base stations, which are designed to deliver limited coverage (usually up to around 100 to 200 metres) and thus tend to be more focused on busy urban areas and specific sites or events – it’s not uncommon to find these sitting on top of lamp posts, CCTV poles or old payphone cubicles (i.e. they can be more cost-effective than building new street assets or trying to secure wayleaves on buildings etc.).

The new downloadable SCF guide is the first published resource from SCF’s Local Authority Connectivity Group, launched in February 2026 to bring councils and the wireless industry together to address practical barriers to small cell deployment. The group includes council representatives from Cambridgeshire, Glasgow, Oxfordshire and Shropshire, alongside SCF member companies the Wireless Infrastructure Group (WiG) and telecoms giant BT.

The guide explains how Small Cells can benefit communities, how they’re deployed and covers various other considerations, including identifying priority locations, making suitable public assets more discoverable, establishing clear routes for engagement with operators and infrastructure providers, and coordinating teams including planning, highways, lighting, estates, legal and digital infrastructure etc.

Simon Fletcher, Chief Strategy Officer of Small Cell Forum, said:

“Better mobile connectivity can support many Local Authority priorities, but deployment also brings practical challenges. Through the Local Authority Connectivity Group, councils with experience of successful small cell deployments are working directly with industry experts to help shape guidance and resources for other Local Authority teams. The new guide is the first resource to come from that collaboration.”

Alongside all this, SCF has also created a dedicated webpage giving councils a central place to access the guide, further information and future resources. SCF is now developing a second guide which will look in more detail at the practical steps and considerations for Local Authorities moving towards deployment.