The Government has set a challenging ambition to deliver UK-wide reliable mobile connectivity. Its plans for 5G coverage are reliant on private sector investment, action from multiple departments and bodies, and learning lessons from the past. In March 2020, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) launched a connectivity improvement programme the Shared Rural …
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting mobile connectivity | HC 650 | 28 May 2024 | 34 | Responded |
We noted that, in late 2023, three of the four mobile network operators had already advised BDUK that they were each unlikely to meet their Ofcom licence obligation to increase their own 4G coverage to 88% of the UK landmass by June 2024 and wanted to discuss an 18-month extension.11 …
BDUK told us that costs had been one of three areas where it had wanted improved information from the operators. Although it had previously received information from DMSL on costs, the information DMSL had provided had not allowed BDUK to manage the spending profiles for the government-funded elements of the …
Since 2017, the Department has spent £400 million in developing possible uses for 5G because it is not yet obvious that consumers will need 5G and the commercial case is not yet clear enough to support industry’s investment.59 The Department’s strategy set out its plans to provide a further £36 …
| Date | Witnesses | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Apr 2024 | Dean Creamer CBE · Building Digital UK, Emran Mian CB OBE · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Sarah Munby · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy | View ↗ |