Could Devon's lampposts soon be making money?
Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
Devon County Council is considering a major change in policy that could pave the way for 5G equipment to be installed on council-owned lampposts, bridges and other infrastructure – potentially generating hundreds of pounds in annual income for every installation while improving mobile coverage across the county.
Councillors will debate the proposals at the authority’s Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, 15th July. If approved, the policy would allow mobile network operators to install so-called “small cell” 5G equipment on council-owned assets, with officers estimating each lamppost could generate between £300 and £350 a year.
The report also suggests larger installations on council-owned buildings or bridges could bring in significantly higher returns, with annual income estimated at between £1,750 and £7,000 per site.
The proposals come as Devon continues to struggle with some of the poorest 5G coverage in England. Figures published by Ofcom using Office for National Statistics data show North Devon, Torridge and West Devon rank among the three worst local authority areas in the country for 5G availability.
Coverage currently stands at just 45.2 per cent in North Devon, 46.7 per cent in Torridge and 63.3 per cent in West Devon, well below the national average of 96.1 per cent.
Poor mobile connectivity has long been a concern raised by Devon councillors, with the Cabinet report arguing that improved 5G infrastructure could boost the county’s economy by between £15 billion and £22 billion by 2035.
Devon County Council first considered the issue in 2019 but decided against allowing 5G equipment on structures such as lampposts because of concerns over potential health impacts.
However, the council’s public health team reviewed the latest scientific evidence earlier this year. While acknowledging that further research into long-term effects is still needed, the review concluded that current evidence does not indicate any adverse health effects from low-level radiofrequency fields generated by 5G equipment operating within internationally recognised safety limits.
The report states: “The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have carried out an extensive programme of research, assessing exposures from 5G base stations as the technology has rolled out in the UK and this is summarised in the guidance, updated most recently in July 2025.
“The results confirm UKHSA’s existing advice that exposure to radio waves from 5G base stations is well below the guidelines set by the ICNIRP and as such reported there should be no consequences for public health.”
Although Devon County Council is not the planning authority, current regulations allow it to approve certain permitted developments on assets it owns.
The report warns that maintaining the council’s existing policy could become increasingly difficult as legislation surrounding digital connectivity continues to evolve.
“The planning and legal framework has shifted such that the Council could receive challenges from mobile network operators based on the current policy,” the report states.
It also highlights the economic cost of delaying improved digital infrastructure, adding: “The delay in the implementation of 5G in Devon compared to other parts of the southwest and nationally, presents an opportunity cost to our local economy and delivery of public services, particularly in rural areas where improved mobile coverage could be a more cost-effective or interim digital connectivity solutions for areas without fixed wireless or fibre broadband.”
The report continues: “Enabling Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to use council-owned assets, such as street lighting columns and bridges and even potentially rural sites such as county farms [owned by Devon County Council], could encourage commercial investment in rolling out 5G.”
Cabinet members will consider the draft policy alongside alternative options, including retaining the current approach, when they meet next week.
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