Plans have sent to Carmarthenshire County Council to install equipment which would provide Ammanford with 5G broadband network connection.

The proposal looks at improving the broadband connection across the town by installing new and updated telecommunications equipment atop of Ammanford Telephone Exchange, located on Heol Wallasey.

The application the County Hall has been made by H3G Ltd and EE Ltd in conjunction with MBNL.

A spokesperson said: “The operators already provide coverage from an existing base station at this site, but have a requirement to install the 5G electronic communications apparatus referred to in this letter in order to upgrade it to provide improvements to its network.”

The proposed development consists of the following:

Installation of three numbered new antenna using new supporting steel work fixed atop the roof of Ammanford Telephone Exchange at a height of 18m

Installation of one numbered equipment cabinet measuring 0.945m3

Installation of ancillary development on the new supporting steelwork including GPS antenna, BOB units, RRUs and safety handrail

The deployment of 5G is said to utilise the mobile network operator’s existing 3G and 4G networks such as the base station already existing at the application site.

As such, the application site is likely to carry different mobile connectivity services, with high data uses operating through the new 5G higher capacity network apparatus subject of this application.

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The application spokesperson added: “As a consequence, this particular technical requirement is not one that can be met on an alternative site.

“The rooftop area of the exchange building is already characterised by telecommunication apparatus including antenna, dishes and associated cabinets.

“Having regard to the nature and appearance of the structure as a whole, the proposed works should have no adverse impact, or no more than a minimal adverse impact, on its appearance.

“There is significant UK Government support for the delivery of 5G, particularly as this new connectivity will be a step change from earlier generations of mobile connectivity and will be critical to economic growth and sustainable communities.

“In addition, modern connectivity, such as 5G, will be essential to help the Government meet its wider sustainability and climate change targets.”