Farmer warns of connectivity crisis after rent cut
Reduced payments for hosting mobile masts could deter landowners, impacting rural coverage, the Farmers' Union of Wales has stated.
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Alan Watson, a 68-year-old farmer from Llanbadarn Fynydd in Powys, has described the experience of hosting a 4G mast on his land for over two decades as a "nightmare." He states that legal changes governing agreements between telecoms operators and landowners have led to his annual rent being cut by half, from £5,000 to £2,500. Mr Watson claims farmers are being "bullied" into accepting less favourable terms.
The changes stem from reforms to the Electronic Communications Code made in 2017, which aimed to reduce the cost of deploying mobile infrastructure by altering how rents are calculated. Landowners, however, argue these reforms have significantly reduced payments, in some instances by up to 90%, and have made negotiations more difficult. Mr Watson reported that finalising his agreement cost him more than £5,000 in fees and legal expenses.
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The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) has voiced concerns that reduced rental income could discourage landowners from hosting the necessary infrastructure. This is particularly worrying as Ofcom data indicates that almost a quarter of Wales suffers from a lack of 4G coverage from any mobile network operator. Tim Faire, FUW's land use and climate change committee chair, stated that farmers cannot be expected to continue hosting masts if rents are slashed and agreements become increasingly difficult to reach.
Mr Watson expressed his frustration, feeling he had "no negotiation" over his rent and warned other landowners against hosting masts. He stated, "It feels like landowners trying to do their bit are being bullied into accepting worse terms, putting people off hosting the infrastructure the country needs." He also noted that the process felt like a "David and Goliath" struggle, with little recourse for landowners under the current code.
Mobile UK, the trade association for UK mobile network operators, commented that mobile connectivity is an essential service. They stated that the government reformed the Electronic Communications Code because the cost of accessing land had become a "significant barrier" to network development. The association added that operators are investing around £2 billion annually to meet rising demand and network traffic.
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The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) acknowledged the "vital role" landowners play in providing digital connectivity. A DEFRA spokesperson said the reforms aim to "strike the right balance" between landowners' needs and the connectivity requirements of communities, supporting the ambition for high-quality 5G coverage across all populated areas by 2030.
Despite these assurances, the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales has warned that falling rents are diminishing incentives to host mobile masts, potentially putting existing sites at risk. This has led to landowners in areas like Cardiff and Swansea submitting notices to quit their agreements.
Questions this report answers
+Why has the farmer's rent for the 4G mast been cut?
The rent for Alan Watson's 4G mast was halved from £5,000 to £2,500 annually due to reforms made to the Electronic Communications Code in 2017. These changes altered how rents are calculated, aiming to reduce the cost of deploying mobile infrastructure across the UK.
+What are the concerns about reduced rents for mobile masts?
The Farmers' Union of Wales is concerned that lower rental payments will discourage landowners from hosting mobile masts. This could negatively impact mobile connectivity, particularly in rural areas of Wales where nearly a quarter of the population already lacks 4G coverage from all operators.
+What costs has the farmer incurred besides the reduced rent?
Alan Watson reported that finalising his mast agreement resulted in costs exceeding £5,000 in fees and legal expenses. He described the process of dealing with telecoms companies as a "nightmare" and felt he had no room for negotiation on the terms.
+What is the government's stated aim regarding these reforms?
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs stated that its reforms aim to ensure landowners are treated fairly when negotiating with mobile operators. The department also seeks to strike a balance between landowners' needs and the connectivity needs of communities, supporting the ambition for widespread 5G coverage.
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