OPW set to allow phone masts on state-owned buildings

The Office of Public Works is reportedly set to allow mobile phone masts to be erected on many state-owned buildings under a new €100m agreement.

Reports this morning said negotiations on the deal, worth €10m a year for the next 10 years, were at an advanced stage and were expected to be completed in the new year.

Under the agreement, the OPW has agreed to sell space to telecommunications companies to erect masts on all suitable state-owned property.

Junior Minister Tom Parlon has reportedly indicated that operators would be required to share the masts and that the sale of space would be open to all competitors.

A number of years ago, the Gardaí agreed to allow mobile phone masts on all suitable garda stations in exchange for free phones for all gardaí.