Press Release

Cornerstone partners with Signify to revolutionise street lighting with 5G and IoT connectivity

The UK’s leading digital infrastructure services company, Cornerstone, is partnering with global leading light company, Signify, to harness the power of 5G and IoT to transform urban landscapes.

Cornerstone’s visionary approach recognises the growing demand for digital connectivity in UK cities, and this partnership aims to provide an innovative solution to address this need by leveraging existing infrastructure. By integrating Signify’s luminaire technology into lamp heads on streetlights, Cornerstone will build an Outdoor Neutral Host platform to enable seamless connectivity in urban environments discreetly and efficiently, allowing communities seamless access to public networks.

“This partnership is yet another example of our evolution towards neutral hosting and smart city solutions,” said Nick Spedding, New Business Manager at Cornerstone. “We’re committed to bringing connectivity to urban and dense urban areas across the UK where currently connectivity is not in place or limited, enabling access to public networks is at everyone’s fingertips.”

Cornerstone’s role as a neutral host in this partnership underscores its commitment to enabling seamless connectivity deployment across diverse urban landscapes. The first project under this partnership will be deployed across three cities, laying the foundation for future expansion and innovation in the field of smart city infrastructure.

“This collaboration with Cornerstone marks an exciting opportunity to converge the strengths of two industry leaders,” said Khalid Aziz, SVP and Managing Director of the BrightSites Business Unit at Signify. “By harnessing the power of 5G and IoT through our street lighting solution, we are illuminating streets and paving the way for a more connected and sustainable future.”

With the project set to launch within the next 10 weeks, both companies are poised to lead the market in driving innovation and progress across the UK.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact Lydia McGurin at lydia.mcgurin@cornerstone.network.

Editor’s Note:

Cornerstone is the UK’s leading digital infrastructure services company, with approximately 15,500 sites across the UK.

Signify is the world leader in lighting for professionals, consumers and the Internet of Things.

Cornerstone, the leading tower company at the forefront of digital infrastructure development, announced an important meeting between its senior leaders, Belinda Fawcett (Director of Property and Estates) and Jamie Hayes (Chief Sales and Commercial Officer), and MP Sir John Whittingdale (Minister of State for Department of Science, Innovation, and Technology in 2023) at a tower site in the right honourable member’s constituency of Maldon.

The visit aimed to bring closer collaboration and dialogue on critical issues surrounding infrastructure deployment and governmental support. John Whittingdale’s insights into the challenges faced by the local authorities, particularly in terms of planning resources, highlighted the need for central government support.

Belinda Fawcett, General Counsel and Property Director at Cornerstone, commented, “This visit is about highlighting the significance of collaboration between industry and government in leading the way in bringing digital infrastructure capability to all areas of the UK in an economically viable and sustainable way.”

Addressing these challenges, Belinda Fawcett emphasised, “The necessity of appointing and funding of digital champions in local government and further support for submitted planning applications is urgently needed to accelerate the deployment of crucial digital infrastructure, to benefit the local communities.”

Jamie Hayes, Chief Sales and Commercial Officer, outlined Cornerstone’s ‘Six Point Plan’, aimed at aligning efforts with government to expedite digital infrastructure deployment:

• Enhance Support for Local Planning Authorities (LPAs)
• Closer Engagement in Digital Connectivity Section of “Section 106” Agreements
• Empower Digital Champions
• Streamline Planning Regime
• Legislative Changes for Multi-Skilled Visit (MSV)
• Implementation of PSTI Act Provisions

The visit was joined by WHP, Cornerstone’s build partner. Rob Potter, CEO of WHP reflected, “We work closely with Cornerstone to support them in enabling the right solutions for their customers. Our partnership is focused on innovation and collaboration, so we continuously look to create sustainable solutions that drive economic growth and societal progress”.

At Cornerstone, we respect the rich history and heritage of the areas where we install our connectivity infrastructure. Working with communities where we build is integral to us, as consultation encourages engagement in our proposed tower developments.

In Upper Llyntudor, Powys, we collaborated with the Local Planning Authority, CADW (the Welsh government statutory consultee on heritage assets) and Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust – a firm of local archaeologists, to find a location for our tower. This would enable the mobile network operators to provide digital services to the local area whilst preserving the integrity of an ancient monument, Fron Felyn Barrow, a bronze age round barrow.

Fay Jones, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, said: “The importance of enhancing mobile phone infrastructure in our area cannot be overstated. The development of more mobile phone masts is crucial for improving mobile reception, which is not just a convenience but a necessity in today’s connected world. I am particularly excited about the prospects this approval opens up. It signifies progress and a move towards better connectivity for everyone in the region.”

In March 2021, The Department of Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) commenced a series of workshops. The aim was to bring together the site provider and telecoms community to facilitate discussions to understand better the current industry challenges and goals to help maintain and improve connectivity across the UK.

The workshops determined that a new Telecoms Industry Communications Framework was needed to help improve and promote best practices between all parties when communicating on the renewal or new installations of mobile and fixed infrastructure on sites. The communications framework has been developed with representatives from across the industry to identify how telecom companies and site providers can improve engagement and build trusting relationships. The aim is to work to these guidelines to expect consistency and a positive experience when working together.

Why is this framework important? Mobile technologies and services are evolving and are now considered an essential resource. The Operators and infrastructure providers aspire to fulfil this public demand. But this is only possible by working together with site providers in finding new sites or maintaining existing sites to host mobile infrastructure. Using this Communications Framework, we set the right expectations and practice the right behaviours to make the agreement process as smooth as possible. It is in everyone’s interest to use this when engaging in site agreements to ultimately play a responsible part in enabling the public to gain better access to digital services.

“We know collaboration and communication are key to building relationships with our landlords. We are committed to using this Telecoms Communications Framework with our partners when delivering sites to improve mobile connectivity across the UK.”

Belinda Fawcett, Director of Property & Estates and General Counsel, Cornerstone.

If you would like to request a copy of the framework, please get in touch with us on news@cornerstone.network

London, UK, 12 2020 – Three of the UK’s wireless infrastructure providers – Britannia Towers, Ulstercom, and Atlas Tower Group – together with Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited (DMSL), a joint venture of the UK mobile network operators (MNOs), have joined Speed Up Britain as campaign supporters. Launched in July, Speed Up Britain is a campaign calling for the Government to reform the Electronic Communications Code (“the Code”), legislation that was intended to assist the rapid deployment of mobile infrastructure.

Britannia Towers and Ulstercom own and operate transmission sites for the wireless and broadcast industries in mainland United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Through their networks of towers, they facilitate improvements in mobile coverage across the UK and the deployment of 5G infrastructure.

Atlas Tower Group is an independent wireless infrastructure provider that builds and operates sites throughout the UK. Atlas provide innovative solutions that enable efficient deployment of 4G and 5G technology for mobile operators across the country.

DMSL, a joint venture between EE, Telefónica (O2), Three and Vodafone, is responsible for the delivery of the Shared Rural Network (SRN). The SRN will extend good 4G coverage to 95 per cent of the country and is funded by both the MNOs and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport.

The expansion of Speed Up Britain’s network of industry supporters marks an important step for the campaign in its efforts to secure reform to the Electronic Communications Code. Since launching in July, the campaign has held two industry roundtables with the Minister for Digital Infrastructure Matt Warman MP, launched a report on the Code with the Centre for Policy Studies, and met with national and local leaders from across the UK.

The announcement also comes on the back of confirmation from the Minister for Digital Infrastructure that the Government plans to publish a consultation on the operation of the Code before Christmas.

Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, Chair of Speed Up Britain, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Britannia Towers, Ulstercom, Atlas Tower Group and DMSL to Speed Up Britain. Together they bring a wealth of industry knowledge and experience to the campaign that will prove invaluable as we continue to press for urgent, necessary changes to the Code.”

Emmet Stokes, Director at Britannia Towers and Ulstercom, said:

“We are very proud to be joining our industry colleagues in Speed Up Britain. We feel it is imperative that the industry comes together to support the fundamental issue of Code reform in the greater interest of everyone who uses wireless technology at home or at work. 

We have come to the firm conclusion that in its present form, the Code is proving to be more of a barrier than a support in helping us maintain and grow our tower network to support mobile network operators, broadband providers and multiple other site users.”

Russell Jeffries, CEO at Atlas Tower Group, said:

“It is a privilege for Atlas to be joining Speed Up Britain alongside other leading industry players. This initiative is important in ensuring that the Code seamlessly supports efficient deployment of next generation communications technology across the UK.  

The Code should be an enabler of 5G roll-out rather than a barrier. If this can be achieved, the legislation can be a powerful tool that works in partnership with business to roll-out connectivity as quickly as possible, benefiting consumers throughout the country.”

Ben Roome, CEO at Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited (DMSL), said:

“Effective implementation of the Code is critical to delivering the benefits of mobile connectivity to some of the most rural places around the UK. It is only by all parties working together the Shared Rural Network can deliver it’s objective of transforming mobile coverage countrywide, enabling rural business to prosper and rural communities to thrive.”

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact: 

James Melville-Ross: +44 (0) 790 968 4467

Adam Davidson: +44 (0) 779 384 5080

contact@speedupbritain.com

About Speed Up Britain

Speed Up Britain is a cross-industry, non-partisan organisation, campaigning for better mobile connectivity in every part of across the UK.

Speed Up Britain was founded by organisations committed to delivering the infrastructure necessary to meet demand for future mobile connectivity but who are frustrated by blockages in the system of securing access agreements under the Electronic Communications Code 2017.

The campaign is chaired by Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, the former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (2001-2005) and Member of Parliament for Leicester West between 1997 and 2010.

Find out more at www.speedupbritain.com

About Britannia Towers and Ulstercom

Britannia Towers and Ulstercom own and operate transmission sites for the wireless and broadcast industries throughout the United Kingdom. They have built up an extensive network of transmission sites over many years in business. As part of this network, they own, manage and develop high capacity telecommunications towers and licence antenna space on these to the full spectrum of wireless service providers.

About Atlas Tower Group

Atlas Tower Group is an independent telecoms infrastructure company that builds, owns and operates wireless sites throughout the UK. Established in 2018, Atlas is managed by an experienced team with a proven track record of delivering major innovations to the industry. The company offers a transparent and uncomplicated customer-focused proposition that works in partnership with the country’s leading mobile operators and operator JVs.

About Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited

Established in 2012, Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited (DMSL) is a joint venture of the UK mobile network operators EE, Telefónica (O2), Three and Vodafone. Our vision is a disruption free digital life for people across the UK. DMSL helps make this a reality by connecting people to communications and media networks and removing barriers to access.

We specialise in transparently delivering complex programmes with multiple public and private stakeholders. Utilising our expertise in radio modelling, customer experience and TV coverage planning, we support our stakeholders in achieving their shared objectives through our TV interference mitigation, spectrum clearing and rural connectivity programmes.