Irvine will soon benefit from new 5G coverage after plans to replace antenna equipment were given the green light.

Mobile providers EE and Hutchinson are upgrading a number of their sites across the UK to make them 5G. 

And Irvine will soon be set to receive the faster wireless connection after plans to replace existing antennae equipment on top of Bridgegate House with a new 10m high mast were approved subject to conditions.

An EE spokesperson said: “We’re upgrading sites to continue bringing businesses, residents and tourists the best possible connection and to make sure Irvine is ready for 5G.

“We don’t have any further information on the exact timings currently, but we will be sure to update you when we have more.”

5G is the next generation of wireless mobile connections, following on from the 4G networks currently used.

While there is no official speed standard for 5G, experts expect it to be 10 times faster than 4G and potentially faster than home fibre broadband.

Planning documents state: “The presence of the roof top equipment sets a clear precedent for telecommunications development in this location and indicates that the principle of this proposal is acceptable.

“We believe that there are no sequentially preferable locations within the defined site search area.

“The site is required to provide enhanced coverage for EE and H3G in order to improve coverage in the KAl2 area of Irvine.

“Mobile phone base stations operate on a low power and accordingly base stations therefore need to be located in the areas they are required to serve. Increasingly, people are also using their mobiles in their homes and this means we need to position base stations in, or close to, residential areas.”