Case study.
Glasgow City Council signs first agreement in new initiative to boost mobile connectivity and coverage.Glasgow City Council has signed a set of ground-breaking new agreements with Cornerstone to deploy new mobile infrastructure sites. Cornerstone, the UK’s leading mobile infrastructure services company worked with Glasgow City Council supported by Infralink, to establish a lease agreement template to make it quicker and simpler to roll-out 4G and 5G throughout Glasgow.
In October 2020, Glasgow City Council launched its dedicated Telecoms Unit, applying inhouse process improvements and standardised site pricing / legal documents to create time and cost saving efficiencies. This new joint initiative extends the benefits of standardisation by adding efficient and proven design into the mix. Cornerstone has successfully deployed roadside poles and associated cabinets known as “Streetworks” on adopted pavements as an effective solution designed to deliver connectivity in urban environments.
Glasgow’s joint initiative with Cornerstone examined how use of Council grass verges and “Streetworks” protocols could be combined to support faster, more efficient deployment in urban areas. Grass verges next to adopted pavements are often unused and easily accessible areas of land. Moving the installation off the pavement on to the adjacent grass verge reduces clutter and avoids underground cables and pipes.
“Glasgow City Council wants to ensure reliable connectivity is available for all our communities and businesses. The objective of the Telecoms Unit is to engage with and support industry to enable this and Cornerstone have worked with us to identify solutions like this one.”
Anne McLister, Head of Digital Economy, Glasgow City Council.
The initiative is an intelligent way to remove rollout barriers, providing Glasgow and Cornerstone with efficient access to public assets for installing mobile equipment cost-effectively and without delays. This solution also helps to minimise disruption to the public while simplifying future site access for maintenance work. Cornerstone’s design and planning teams followed established guidance and best practice to collaborate successfully with Glasgow City Council in identifying potential sites.
Infralink, a programme established by infrastructure experts, the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) and funded by The Scotland 5G Centre to encourage better engagement between local authorities and the mobile industry, has supported Glasgow with this initiative. The proactive working of Glasgow City Council and Cornerstone seen with the ‘Streetworks’ initiative is just the type of mutually beneficial approach that can be scaled up and used elsewhere in urban parts of Scotland, enabling residents and businesses to gain the benefits of mobile technology.
"Working with Glasgow City Council and Infralink has been a prime example of how cooperation can streamline processes to improve the greater objective of providing our communities with reliable connectivity. It’s encouraging to see that delivering our network infrastructure is seen as a priority to enabling next generation of mobile connectivity."
Belinda Fawcett, Director of Property and Estates and General Counsel, Cornerstone.
“This joint initiative provides another option for industry and local authorities when looking at coverage and capacity in an urban area. Combining standardisation in design, lease and site payment allows the parties to quickly agree and deploy much needed improvements in connectivity with minimum impact on resource or visual amenity. With this Glasgow deal leading the way, Infralink will be looking to apply this approach in other areas of Scotland.”
Sarah Eynon, Infralink Programme lead at the Scottish Futures Trust.
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