Plans for new 30 metre high mast to boost broadband in Laois village

Plans have been lodged with Laois County Council to install a new 30-metre-high- telecommunications mast in Ballybrophy to boost mobile data and broadband services. 

Phoenix Towers Ireland IV Limited has applied for planning permission for the structure at Kilcoke, Ballybrophy. The proposed development is an upgrade site for the existing telecommunications structure at Ballybrophy train station, 1.3km away. The structure at the train station needs to be upgraded but works cannot be undertaken because of structural reasons.

"As it stands, due to structural reasons the existing site at the train station is incapable of performing such upgrades and therefore will not be able to upkeep with the increased required coverage levels associated with the area, hence the requirement of the new site to be erected at the proposed site location to facilitate the upgrade. On the existing structure at the train station, 2G and 4G service is provided. The new structure will see the provision of 2G, 4G and 5G service which will be of great benefit for the area of Kilcoke," the planning documents state.

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The applicants say the 30 metre high mast "is the absolute minimum for up to three separate operators" to use the site. 
The application seeks permission for a "30-metre-high lattice telecommunications support structure carrying antennas, dishes, remote radio units (RRU’s), associated equipment,  together with ground-based equipment cabinets, palisade fencing, cable ladder, fibre  chamber, gantry pole, concrete foundations, access gate, timber post and rail fence and all associated site development works to provide for high-speed wireless data and broadband services to meet Vodafone’s coverage objectives for this part of County Laois." 

A decision is due to be made by July 21 with submissions being accepted by the local authority up to June 30.