Barnaby Finch

This week, Manchester began the final phase of its 5G integration. The city claims it will become the UK’s first fully connected smart city by 2027. But critics say the rush to deploy is leaving residents in the dark.

I spoke to Sarah Kendrick, a community organiser in Moss Side. She told me the city council has not held a single public consultation about the new masts. “They just appeared overnight,” she said. “People are worried about health and privacy. No one is listening.”

The project, called Manchester 5G Connect, was launched in 2021 with £50 million in public and private funding. Phase one covered the city centre. Phase two extended to Salford and Trafford. Now phase three aims to cover 95 percent of Greater Manchester by December 2026.

But the rollout has faced resistance. In Levenshulme, residents blocked a mast installation last October. They said the council ignored their objections about visual impact and potential health risks. The council later installed the mast at a different location but residents feel sidelined.

Dr. Reza Akbari, a lecturer in urban studies at the University of Manchester, told me the council’s approach lacks transparency. “Smart city initiatives often prioritise efficiency over democracy,” he said. “Citizens become data points, not partners.”

A council spokesperson defended the project. They said the 5G network will improve public transport, reduce energy use, and create 10,000 jobs. They also said the World Health Organization has found no adverse health effects from 5G.

But Kendrick pointed to a 2022 EU report that called for more research on long-term exposure. “The science isn’t settled,” she said. “We need a moratorium until it is.”

The council’s response is that the benefits outweigh the risks. Manchester is positioning itself as a global tech hub. Last year, it won the Smart City of the Year award at the World Urban Forum. But for residents like Kendrick, the award feels hollow.

In Ardwick, I met retired teacher John Mellor. He told me his street had a mast installed last month without any prior notice. “We came home one day and it was there,” he said. “It’s like they think we don’t matter.”

The council says they did notify residents via letters and a website. Mellor never got a letter. He does not use the internet.

Akbari suggests a digital divide is widening. “Those most affected by 5G are often least able to engage with online consultations,” he said.

The final phase includes installing 500 new masts and small cells across residential areas. Priority zones include parts of Wythenshawe, Hulme, and Longsight. These are among the most deprived wards in Manchester.

Kendrick has started a petition calling for a halt to the rollout until a full public inquiry is held. It has 2,300 signatures. She plans to submit it to the council next week.

A council source, who asked not to be named, told me the project is on a tight timeline. “If we don’t meet the December deadline, we lose EU funding,” the source said. “That money has already been spent.”

The source added that the city’s tech partners, including BT and Nokia, are pushing to finish before the end of the year.

But for residents, the deadline is not their problem. “They want us to be a smart city,” Kendrick said. “But a smart city should listen to its people. We’re being treated like obstacles.”

As the masts go up, the debate is only getting louder. Manchester may soon be connected. But will it be united?