Farmer Cites 'Nightmare' After Telecoms Code Reforms Halve Mast Rent

Alan Watson, a 68-year-old farmer from Llanbadarn Fynydd in Powys, Wales, has described his experience hosting a 4G mast on his land for over two decades as a "nightmare." Watson claims that recent legal changes have resulted in his rent being halved and has cost him approximately £5,000 in fees, leading him to warn other landowners against hosting such infrastructure. He asserts that farmers are being "bullied" into accepting less favorable terms with telecoms operators.

The dispute centers on amendments made to the Electronic Communications Code in 2017, which governs agreements between telecommunications companies and landowners hosting their equipment. The reforms were intended to reduce the costs associated with deploying mobile infrastructure. However, landowners contend that these changes have led to significant rent reductions, sometimes as much as 90%, and have made negotiations more contentious.

Watson stated that his rent has decreased from £5,000 to £2,500 annually. He also reported incurring £10,000 in fees and legal costs while dealing with the telecommunication companies. "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," Watson said.

He feels he has been left with "no negotiation" regarding his rental income and that the process has been adversarial. "The boot is on the telecommunication companies' foot. I could take it to court but it wouldn't be financially viable... and there is no guarantee of me winning if we took it to court," Watson explained. He worries that such conditions could lead to a reduction in mobile connectivity across the UK, questioning why landowners would rent out space for minimal payment.

The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) has expressed concern that the reduction in rental income could deter farmers from hosting masts, potentially impacting connectivity in rural areas. Tim Faire, FUW's land use and climate change committee chair, stated that farmers cannot be expected to continue hosting infrastructure when rents are slashed and agreements become difficult and costly to reach. He called for a policy framework that treats farmers fairly and encourages cooperation.

The National Infrastructure Commission for Wales has also warned that declining rents are diminishing incentives for landowners to host mobile masts, putting existing sites at risk and leading to landowners submitting notices to quit. Communities in areas like Cardiff and Swansea are reportedly feeling increased pressure from these developments.

In response, the UK government's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) stated that its reforms aim to ensure landowners are "treated fairly when negotiating with mobile operators." DEFRA acknowledged the "vital role" landowners play in providing digital connectivity and expressed a desire to "strike the right balance" between landowners' needs and those of the communities requiring connectivity. The department added that these reforms support the ambition for widespread 5G coverage.

Mobile UK, a trade association representing UK mobile network operators, emphasized that mobile connectivity is an essential service. The association noted that the Electronic Communications Code was reformed because the cost of land access was a "significant barrier" to network deployment and upgrades. They also highlighted that mobile operators invest approximately £2 billion annually to meet rising demand and network traffic.

According to Ofcom, nearly a quarter of Wales currently lacks 4G coverage from all mobile network operators, underscoring the importance of infrastructure hosted by farmers and landowners for maintaining connectivity in rural regions.