An MHK has raised concerns about the proliferation of telecommunication masts in the island.

Douglas Central MHK Chris Thomas believes more should be done to encourage mast sharing and the roll-out of home fibre.

He has tabled a motion to this month’s Tynwald calling for government policy to have a presumption against visually intrusive masts in sensitive landscapes, and to encourage mast sharing by different operators.

His move came as Sure continues a trial of 5G technology in Douglas.

In the House of Keys this week, Enterprise Minister Laurence Skelly said Sure had invested £1m in 5G and had advised they believe the trial has been successful.

Former policy and reform minister Mr Thomas asked: ’Is Sure fixed on 15m masts or is it considering the use of lamp posts, or sharing masts with Manx Telecom?

’There are lots of Manx Telecom masts around Douglas already in place as alternatives to the new masts that are proposed.’

Under a 2019 telecommunications permitted development order masts lower than 15m do not need a planning application.

One Sure mast allowed under permitted development is in Governor’s Hill.

This mast was described in Tynwald in November by Douglas North MHK and Health Minister David Ashford as being like ’a launchpad for a mission to Mars’.

Sure is actively pursuing 5G using permitted development masts.

It launched its trial in November 2019 in Douglas covering Tromode, Woodbourne Road and the central business district.

This is the trial behind the temporary mast in the Masonic Hall grounds and a current planning application for one on Woodbourne Lane which was not allowed under ’permitted development’ as it is in a conservation area.

In Tynwald last month, Mr Thomas queried whether telecoms developments are ’proportionate and balanced’.

He told the Courier: ’Public objection to this telecommunications strategy and both mast planning applications and permitted development has begun.

’What needs to happen now is reassertion of the requirement for mast sharing, duct sharing, and encouragement of fibre to the home take-up rather than 5G into the home.’

In the Keys, the Enterprise Minister explained that the 5G trial is currently being run under a temporary test and trial licence issued by the Communications and Utilities Regulatory Authority.

This will end in April, having been recently extended, and can be extended further by agreement with the regulator.

Mr Skelly said the trial has not been ’facilitated or financially supported’ by the government.

He told MHKs: ’The trial is focused on the technical benefits of 5G, identifying and addressing the technical challenges and barriers to its delivery and the potential commercial opportunities that this type of technology might bring.

’The investment by Sure in this technology is in the region of £1 million, and Sure advise that they believe the trial has been successful.’

The Minister said he would ’actively encourage’ the use of Douglas Council lamp posts for use in the trials by Sure of Manx Telecom.

Mr Thomas asked if the Department for Enterprise has any ’preference for fibre into the home or 5G into the home, with a mini transmitter inside the home’.

Mr Skelly replied: ’The whole issue with regard to 5G is still in development.

’Yes, 5G will likely play a part, but we do not know the full extent of that. We will continue to monitor the developments in this area.’

Mr Thomas has also tabled a series of questions for oral and written answer in this week's Key sitting.

He will ask DEFA Minister Geoffrey Boot about how mast sharing by telecommunications operators has been encouraged.

And he will ask Mr Skelly what his policy is on the use of Huawei technology, which has been banned in the UK.