RESIDENTS in the Chalke Valley will soon have access to the latest 5G technology.

The Mobile Operator Neutral Host (MONeH) consortium, which is made up of local companies Telet Research, CH4LKE Mobile and Associated Networks, Thames Valley Mobile and Cranbourne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, in conjunction with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will provide areas which have poor internet connections and almost no mobile coverage with a reliable mobile phone service and Gigabit internet speeds.

The secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport Oliver Dowden said: “We’re making sure our rural communities aren’t left behind in the digital age, and this is one of the ground-breaking projects we’re funding across the UK to unlock the benefits of 5G across our economy and wider society.”

“I look forward to seeing how this pioneering technology can bring residents of the Chalke Valley better connectivity and how we can apply these lessons across the whole of the UK to banish not spots for good.”

The new project is the brainchild of James Body, a resident of Bowerchalke, formerly a Major in the Royal Signals.

Mr Body said: “Instead of building large, expensive and unpopular large masts in our rural areas, we can use inexpensive low power small cells to provide a quality local service to users of all mobile networks, plus slicing technology to support emergency services, the National Health Service, utility companies and any other local private users in a rapidly deployable and cost effective manner.

“Empowering local organisations to deploy their own networks offers reduced costs, shorter build times and the ability to provide coverage where it is really needed.”

The consortium is looking for local residents to participate in the service. It will provide members of the community who host the shoe-box antennas with ultrafast internet in return for keeping the unit powered up.

MONeH uses the Neutral Host Technology which is a 5G mechanism which it says allows consumers to “seamlessly use their existing mobile phone contract on a community network”.

It says that the service will also offer “high speed domestic internet services in areas of the Chalke Valley which currently have poor connections, using 5G technology”.

The technology will also be made available at other sites in Preston Bissett, Buckinghamshire and Lucknam Park, near Bath.

The initial funding from the DCMS is £2.3m, and is matched by consortium members.

A CH4LKE Mobile Community meeting is being held in Bowerchalke Village Hall at 7pm on Friday, March 20.