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ANSWERING GOD'S CALL

Church spires set to be used to boost poor mobile phone and wifi signals

Wireless transmitters will be placed inside ancient towers with aerials fitted on top to improve connectivity

MEDIEVAL church spires are to be used to boost poor mobile phone and wifi signals in rural areas.

Wireless transmitters will be placed inside ancient towers with aerials fitted on top to improve connectivity in digital blackspots.

 Medieval church spires will house wireless transmitters and aerials
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Medieval church spires will house wireless transmitters and aerials

The Government has struck a deal with the Church of England to use 16,000 buildings. Two-thirds of churches are in rural areas with slow broadband and mobile signals.

It will boost the Government’s pledge to give every home access to fast broadband by 2020.

Culture Secretary Matt Hancock said: “This means that even a 15th- century building can help make Britain fit for the future, improving people’s lives by boosting connectivity in some of our hardest-to-reach areas.”

Churches in the dioceses of Chelmsford and Norwich are already supporting programmes to improve connectivity.

 Culture Secretary Matt Hancock says the deal struck up with the church should 'improve peoples connectivity,'
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Culture Secretary Matt Hancock says the deal struck up with the church should 'improve peoples connectivity,'

CofE bosses were reassured over concerns about possible health impacts of WiFi.

And experts from Historic England helped to ensure that any kit does not affect the character of the buildings.

Churches are also paid a fee for hosting the equipment.

Ministers hope similar deals can be made with other faiths in areas with poor coverage.

The Bishop of Chelmsford, Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell, said: “Rural churches have always served as a hub for their communities.

“Encouraging them to improve connectivity will help tackle two of the biggest issues rural areas face — isolation and sustainability.”

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