Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 25
25
Acknowledged
Unverified road and premises coverage data makes programme impact difficult to determine.
Conclusion
The Department told us that it does have some numbers on the increased coverage of roads and premises, but that they are unverified and it is not confident in them.48 The Department estimates that, since the start of the programme, coverage on roads has improved by about 11 percentage points. However, the Department told us it is not clear to what extent this increase in road coverage is due to the programme.49
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and states it will work with Ofcom and MNOs to ensure mobile coverage data, including for roads and premises, continues to be published and expanded, and will engage with Ofcom to consider publishing more granular figures and tracking methods by January 2027.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: January 2025 5.2 Ofcom is responsible for publishing national mobile coverage data, including data for road and rail, and MNOs may publish their own network coverage data as part of their own communications. BDUK is committed to working with both groups to ensure mobile coverage data continues to be published and, where possible, is expanded. 5.3 Ofcom regularly reports on 4G coverage through their Connected Nations reports. BDUK currently publishes the total UK mobile coverage figure in its Corporate Plan and Annual Report and Accounts. This figure is the same as the one presented by Ofcom in its Connected Nations report. BDUK is currently engaging with Ofcom to consider publication of a decimal point coverage figure in BDUK’s upcoming statistical updates. 5.4 BDUK is further engaging with Ofcom and the MNOs to consider ways in which roads and premises coverage can be tracked ahead of Ofcom’s licence obligation assessment in January 2027.