Mobile UK has called on government to prioritise its focus on mobile infrastructure in its upcoming Spending Review and Infrastructure Strategy.
The trade association representing the UK’s four mobile network operators has urged government to take immediate action to stimulate increased investment in this vital area, which will drive economic expansion across the nation.
In a new report entitled Mobile Infrastructure Investment: The UK’s Route to Growth, commissioned by Mobile UK and carried out by Assembly Research, it underscores the significant economic benefits of robust mobile infrastructure, noting that every £1 invested can generate £5 for the wider economy. The study also outlines key recommendations for government action to unlock this potential.
While government has successfully incentivised private sector investment in the fixed broadband market, Mobile UK said that a similar policy focus is now needed for mobile infrastructure.
The report identifies key areas where government intervention will significantly boost investment and benefit the economy, including:
• Repurposing ALFs to improve mobile coverage and capacity.
• Revising planning rules to enable network deployments.
• Implementing the PSTI Act now and in full.
• Introducing a business rates holiday on new mobile infrastructure.
• Evolving the UK’s net neutrality regime.
• Supporting operators’ plans to switch off 2G services.
• Appointing digital champions to help expedite 5G rollouts.
• Tackling not-spots via the Shared Rural Network programme.
Mobile UK said that the recent Planning and Infrastructure Bill and the Autumn Budget represented missed opportunities to directly address mobile infrastructure investment. But, looking ahead, it said that the Spending Review and Infrastructure Strategy present crucial opportunities for government to signal its commitment to mobile by strongly focusing on this key sector.
Mobile UK has also called on government to recognise the pivotal role of mobile infrastructure in driving economic growth and to promptly implement the recommendations detailed in the report.
Hamish MacLeod, chief executive of Mobile UK, said, “The government has rightly identified growth as its top priority and called on the UK's telecoms industry to help strengthen the economy. Now, it’s crucial for the government to prioritise mobile infrastructure, enabling operators to accelerate investment in coverage and capacity. This will be fundamental to underpinning growth and fostering innovation throughout the UK economy, and the upcoming Spending Review and Infrastructure Strategy are key moments to demonstrate this commitment.”