Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if his Department will work with wireless broadband operators to develop technology that is in keeping with local environments where it is installed.

Planning legislation requires operators to minimise the visual impact of new network deployments on the surrounding area as much as possible. We have set out guidance on how operators should do this in the Wireless Code of Practice. Operators have also committed to place additional antennas and cabinets at existing sites where possible, and only where additional capacity and/or coverage is needed will additional sites be built.

The Government is actively working with industry through our R&D programmes to support companies developing telecoms technologies in the UK, including equipment that matches local environments.