The rulings confirm that site providers cannot misuse redevelopment arguments to force unnecessary site removals, disrupting fully operational infrastructure without a valid reason.
Vodafone and Cornerstone welcome the recent rulings from both the Upper Tribunal and the County Court, which set important precedents for the mobile industry by providing greater clarity on the renewal of telecoms infrastructure agreements under the Electronic Communications Code.
The cases concerned two fully operational mast sites managed by Cornerstone under established agreements. When these agreements expired, Vodafone and Cornerstone sought to renew them under fair, modern terms to ensure continuity of service. However, AP Wireless (APW) and its successor, Icon, opposed the renewal, seeking to remove fully operational equipment not because of any genuine redevelopment need, but so as to drive mobile operators onto their own infrastructure.
The Tribunal and County Court ruled that landlords cannot use redevelopment claims as a pretext to undermine infrastructure providers’ rights unless they present a clear, actionable, and credible redevelopment plan. These decisions reinforce fairness in site management and support stable mobile coverage for businesses and consumers across the UK.
Andrew Yorston, General Counsel & Company Secretary, Vodafone UK, said: “We are pleased with the judgments, which provide much-needed legal clarity and set important precedents for the mobile industry. Vodafone has always maintained that our position was the right one, and these rulings reaffirm the principles of fairness and sustainability in mobile infrastructure deployment. By ensuring that site access remains reasonable and does not impose excessive costs, these decisions support our ability to continue investing in and expanding our network, delivering critical connectivity for customers and businesses across the UK.”
Belinda Fawcett, Director of Property and Estates and General Counsel at Cornerstone, said: “These rulings are a significant win for fair and transparent site management across the telecoms industry. They confirm that site providers cannot misuse redevelopment arguments to force unnecessary site removals, disrupting fully operational infrastructure without a valid reason. At Cornerstone, we are proud to play a vital role in enabling mobile networks that connect people and businesses. These decisions provide much-needed legal clarity, ensuring infrastructure providers like Cornerstone can continue working with operators and landlords to deliver reliable, future-proofed mobile coverage across the UK. The rulings assure us that our rights are secure, enabling the further investment that is urgently required across the network.”
As the Nation’s Network, Vodafone remains focused on accelerating its 5G rollout and ensuring the best possible coverage for communities across the UK. Vodafone will continue to work collaboratively with site providers and infrastructure partners to support a sustainable, future-ready digital infrastructure.
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About Cornerstone
Cornerstone is the UK’s leading mobile and digital infrastructure services company, managing a portfolio of over 15,700 sites, providing vital connectivity nationwide. As a trusted partner to Mobile Network Operators, local authorities, and the wider telecommunications industry, Cornerstone delivers innovative, sustainable infrastructure solutions that enable the growing demand for digital services and supports the Government’s ambition for economic growth and digital inclusion. From traditional towers to cutting-edge small cell technology, Cornerstone continues to lead and deploy on its commitment of a connected world always within reach. For more information, visit www.cornerstone.network
