In this episode we return to a discussion about the UK’s vital mobile telecommunications network.
Having dipped a toe into this critical sector of the infrastructure market in Episode 19 with Belinda Fawcett of Cornerstone - do check it out - we are back on the subject by what can only be described as popular demand.
As I discussed in May, having highspeed internet connectivity beaming into our devices at all times is now considered something close to a human right. Any darkness of service ranges from being hugely annoying to business critical.
So, alongside out physical transport systems, ensuring that we have comprehensive 4G - and increasingly now 5G coverage is without a doubt key to creating the connectivity needed to accelerate growth and boost our quality of life across the UK.
There is good news. The National Infrastructure Commission has already praised the progress being made by the sector over the last five years. 4G coverage now extends to around 92% of the UK landmass and the Shared Rural Network agreement should increase this to 95% by the end of 2025, with further investment set to connect harder to reach areas by 2027.
And progress is being made on the faster 5G roll out with coverage now at around 70% and growing. But we are by no means there yet. Dark areas still exist. Coverage on trains is between haphazard and non-existent. Many rural areas simply have no connection at all.
Yet as the Government’s latest Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, explains, hooking up the UK’s 5G network could deliver productivity benefits of £159 billion by 2035. But the commercial viability of full 5G coverage beyond cities and urban centres is still in doubt.
To talk about the challenges – and the successes – it is therefore my pleasure to welcome Gareth Elliott, Director of Policy and Communications at Mobile UK the organisation representing the major telephone companies behind the mobile services that hold all out lives together.
