WITH the expansion of superfast broadband, Worcestershire landowners are being advised to check they are getting the best possible deal from mobile phone masts on their property.

Shaun Jones, a rural professional director at Halls, said it’s a good time to review existing leases with mobile phone mast operators, many of whom are now seeking to add additional equipment or to acquire the right to connect a high capacity fibre optic cable for data transmission via 4G.

He added: "I have come across several cases of landowners missing rent review opportunities for mobile phone masts. Recent experience shows a number of operators are actively carrying out adjustments to improve the capacity of mast sites. Some sites have been decommissioned over the last four or five years and more site sharing is taking place.

“Certain operators have been hard-nosed in driving down rents when decommissioning sites, whereas strategically important sites need adjustment to increase their capacity Halls recently achieved a significant rent increase on a strategically important site, on a retrospective basis, with a further increase potentially available in the future. I encourage landlords to look at their leases and check that rent review opportunities have not been missed. It’s surprising how many landlords have missed opportunities.

“Discussions with an operator indicate many sites urgently need high capacity fibre optic cables, as existing old, low capacity cables are too slow to handle current internet usage on mobile phones. I advise any landowner approached about the installation of a fibre optic cable ought to take professional advice before agreeing terms.”