Mobile UK publishes high-profile plan to expand 4G and 5G network coverage

Industry trade body Mobile UK, which represents Three UK, EE (BT), O2 (Virgin Media) and Vodafone, has joined forces with the Mobile Infrastructure Forum (MIF) to make a series of recommendations on how the next government can tackle “underfunded and underfunded planning system“To”Unlock growth and keep the UK fully connected”to the latest 4G, 5G and future 6G networks.

Ofcom recently reported that as of January 2024 ( here ), 4G (mobile broadband) geographic coverage was 81-88% for all operators, while 85-92% of UK sites could achieve outdoor 5G network coverage via at least one operator (population coverage). However, this latter figure drops to just 16-28% when 5G-enabled outdoor facilities operated by all operators are taken into account.

However, there are a number of programs and targets that aim to support improvements in this area, such as the industry-led £1 billion Shared Rural Network project (i.e. extending 4G geographic coverage to 95% of the UK by the end of 2025). and Wireless Infrastructure Strategy (i.e. “All populated areas be covered by a “standalone” 5G network (5G plus) by 2030“). However, problems remain on the deliverability side, especially when it comes to 5G.

A new quite high-level report – “If you don’t plan, your planning will fail” – Mobile UK and MIF looked for ways to accelerate these rollouts and achieved this by trying “uncover the barriers that exist in the planning system that hinder the construction of this critical national infrastructure“

Hamish MacLeod, CEO of Mobile UK, said:

“There is widespread recognition that the planning system is dysfunctional and we call on all parties to acknowledge this and commit to our six-point planning framework.

We see this dysfunction every day. “Planning departments operate on tight budgets and face severe labor and skills shortages, leading to inconsistencies and delays in decision-making.”

In particular, the report notes that replacing existing infrastructure can remain a challenge, while planning decisions for mobile infrastructure in remote areas can take up to 2 years (appeals against a negative decision can also be slow), and there is still a lack of awareness and understanding regarding the advantages of mobile connectivity; the latter often results in opposition to new masts etc.

The report then presents a series of six recommendations that will no doubt be quite familiar to our regular readers, as they have appeared frequently in previous industry reports (here, here and here).

Six Recommendations

1. Urgently increase funding for planning services – there are a number of policies aimed at counteracting this phenomenon, but they need to be implemented and additional financial support is needed.

2. Recognize the importance of mobile infrastructure in the planning system – ensuring that the economic and social benefits of mobile connectivity are adequately taken into account by creating super-units of mobile infrastructure specialists, establishing task forces to overcome barriers, fast-tracking planning in key growth areas and exploring mobile connectivity aspects during the redevelopment.

3. Hire Digital Champions to support the planning process – helping to align local government decision-making on digital connectivity and acting as a single point of contact for the mobile infrastructure industry.

4. Do more to attract and retain talent – local authorities, government departments and professional bodies should build on programs such as Pathways to Planning; and implement steps to reverse the recent erosion of planning professionals’ pay to help retain talent.

5. Improve the planning policy framework – reviews of the national planning policy framework and permitted development rights relating to telecommunications should take place as soon as possible.

7. Support proactive digital leadership on boards – working with local government bodies to ensure local governments have a good understanding of the benefits of mobile connectivity and can have an evidence-based and honest discussion with residents about the infrastructure needed to deliver it.

When it comes to supporting lighter planning rules, we have already seen some progress in this area, such as changes supporting the use of taller masts and making it easier to retrofit existing facilities through Development allowed (PD) law. However, a big obstacle to further change is that politicians still have to balance such demands with issues of public opinion (i.e. new mobile masts often attract complaints), which is particularly important during general election times.

On the other hand, there are also plenty of people and politicians who oppose new masts on dubious grounds that may create unnecessary obstacles to deployments that would otherwise be very appropriate. Striking the balance in this area remains extremely difficult, but it is an issue that the next government will need to address if it wants to improve the pace and efficiency of the UK’s mobile infrastructure.

At the same time, no one should pretend that mobile network operators and the developers of related infrastructure are saintly figures who will only ever do the right thing, which means that there must always be some credible checks and balances to prevent abuses of even a more flexible approach.