A consultation has been launched over plans by two of the UK’s largest phone companies to erect a 5G mast near a chippy in the South of Edinburgh.
Cornerstone Telecommunications, jointly owned by network giants O2 and Vodafone, have put forward proposals for a “radio base station” near the Chip Inn in Colinton Mains.
It comes as many phone providers count the cost to repair dozens of 5G masts that have been attacked and vandalised by conspiracy theorists after false information regarding the link between the technology and the spread of coronavirus was circulated online.
Vodafone’s 5G service went live in Edinburgh in January promising "Wi-Fi-like speeds on the move".
In a briefing document issued to councillors, Cornerstone said they assessed 14 separate sites in the Colinton Mains and Oxgangs areas before deciding on a plot near the popular chippy on Oxgangs Road.
It states: “All Cornerstone installations are designed to be fully compliant with the public exposure guidelines established by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
“These guidelines have the support of UK Government, the European Union and they also have the formal backing of the World Health Organisation.
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“A certificate of ICNIRP compliance will be included within the planning submission.”
In April, an EE phone mast in Ayrshire was set alight, causing upwards of £50,000 in damage and knocking out coverage in the area for thousands of locals.
Engineers have also reported being harassed or assaulted as they carry out work to keep the network running.
The UK’s mobile networks reported 20 cases of phone masts being targeted in suspected fire attacks over the Easter weekend alone.
The ICNIRP published updated guidelines on protecting humans from radiation caused by mobile phone networks earlier this year, but found “no scientific evidence” they cause “cancer or any other illnesses”.
Cllr Scott Arthur said: “A number of local residents have raised questions about the proposal which I am in the process of getting a response from the telecoms provider on.
“These range from jokes about the impact on the quality of the excellent chips from the adjacent Chip Inn, to more serious concerns about loss of footpath.
“As far as I am concerned this is a genuine consultation and the local community will have a say.”
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