Mast upgrade plan to boost phone signals

The upgrades would add a number of antenna and dishes to the existing structure

Mobile phone reception could be significantly improved in a part of Shropshire if a hilltop mast can be upgraded, an operator says.

Vodaphone has applied to install three more antennas, two dishes and GPS module on the Wrekin in Shropshire.

The company said the proposals are relatively minor in scale and noted the tower, which was built in 1975, has had a "lengthy history of upgrades".

Natural England and Historic England have raised no objections or concerns.

The mast stands 64m (210 ft) tall, including the antennas, and is used as both a telecommunications base station and broadcasting facility to handle TV and radio waves.

Vodaphone said it was better to upgrade the existing site than to look for a new location.

It said "the apparatus proposed will lead to significant improvements to a public service provided in the local area".

The mast was last upgraded in 2019, by operator EE.