ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the frequent claim that planning is a ‘barrier’ to developing digital networks (mobile telephony and broadband), causing ‘delay’ and deficits in rural network coverage. It draws on planning applications data and expert interviews gathered in Wales. It found only a relatively small proportion of infrastructure applications failing to gain consent but that developers did perceive planning uncertainty and constraints to adversely affect network roll out. However, economics rather than planning has been the central factor limiting rural network coverage. More fundamentally, framing planning as a ’barrier’ to infrastructure delivery ignores how planning mediates between alternative technological pathways.

摘要

本文调查了经常声称规划是发展数字网络（移动电话和宽带）的“障碍”，导致农村网络覆盖“延迟”和不足的说法。它借鉴了在威尔士收集的规划应用数据和专家访谈。它发现只有相对较小比例的基础设施应用程序未能获得同意，但开发人员确实认为规划的不确定性和限制会对网络推出产生不利影响。然而，经济而非规划一直是限制农村网络覆盖的核心因素。更根本的是，将规划视为基础设施交付的“障碍”忽略了规划如何在替代技术路径之间进行调解。