Supporting mobile connectivity
Public Accounts Committee
Closed
Inquiry
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 …
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7
Recommendations
27
Conclusions
1
Report
1
Oral session
1
Event
Activity timeline 4 events
11 Jul
2025
2025
28 May
2024
2024
Report published
22 Apr
2024
2024
Oral evidence
22 Apr
2024
2024
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
22 Apr 2024
View on parliament.uk
Supporting mobile connectivity
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
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting mobile connectivity | HC 650 | 28 May 2024 | 34 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
34 results
2
Conclusion
Accepted
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Revisit cost benefit analysis for Shared Rural Network 4G investment to inform mast locations.
The Department has not identified the specific benefits it is aiming to achieve in the most remote areas of the UK to help guide decisions on where investment is most needed to improve connectivity. To secure good value from the …
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Government Response
The department will refresh its benefits model and cost-benefit analysis using new data, including a study on consumer willingness to pay for connectivity, and will gather benefits data from exercise apps and conduct qualitative research with stakeholders.
HM Treasury
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3
Conclusion
Deferred
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Confirm remaining 4G coverage gaps and develop plans for alternative connectivity in underserved areas.
The Department has not confirmed which specific areas are in the 5% of the UK landmass that will not have 4G connectivity, and it does not yet have a plan for ensuring that consumers and businesses in these areas get …
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Government Response
The department cannot confirm which specific areas will remain without 4G connectivity yet, as site locations are not finalized before late 2025. Identification of remaining uncovered areas will be undertaken only upon completion of the site acquisition phase of the programme.
HM Treasury
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4
Conclusion
Accepted
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Ensure meaningful mobile coverage data reflects actual experience and develop real-time reporting mechanisms.
The mobile coverage reported by Ofcom does not always reflect the actual level of service that businesses and consumers experience, and which may sometimes be significantly worse than reported. The data that Ofcom publishes on mobile coverage across the UK …
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Government Response
The department is working with Ofcom to obtain more granular signal data, experiment with crowd-sourced data, and consider appropriate signal thresholds. It will also ask Ofcom to examine cases of lost connectivity after 3G switch-off and report on standalone 5G coverage while reviewing 4G/5G definitions.
HM Treasury
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5
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Ensure public reporting on 4G connectivity progress for roads and premises targets.
The Department lacks up to date information to track progress on whether the Shared Rural Network programme will meet its targets for increasing connectivity on roads and premises. In addition to the overall target to increase 4G coverage to 95% …
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Government Response
The government agrees and states BDUK is committed to working with Ofcom and MNOs to ensure mobile coverage data continues to be published. BDUK is engaging with Ofcom to consider publishing more granular figures in upcoming statistical updates and exploring ways to track roads and premises coverage before Ofcom's 2027 assessment.
HM Treasury
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6
Conclusion
Accepted
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Develop plan for frequent collection and publication of UK rail network coverage data.
Progress in improving connectivity on UK railways has been hampered by a lack of up-to-date coverage data. Mobile connectivity along major rail routes remains poor and passengers can often struggle to make calls, stream videos or work online. Improving rail …
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Government Response
The government agrees and has asked Ofcom to investigate using in-carriage scanners and crowdsourced data for rail connectivity. The Department for Transport has also commissioned a study using external scanners on engineering trains to establish baseline data by early 2025, with progress to be outlined in future Treasury Minute updates.
HM Treasury
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7
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Set out 5G investment achievements and establish meaningful targets for standalone 5G rollout.
The Department’s plans for supporting investment in 5G infrastructure are undeveloped and it has not articulated what it has achieved from taxpayers’ 8 Supporting mobile connectivity investment to date. Since 2017, the Department has committed over £500 million to determine …
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Government Response
The government agrees but states it has set an "ambition" for 5G coverage, not a specific target, and monitors this via Ofcom's reports. It notes previous 5G Testbeds and Trials programme outcomes were evaluated in 2023 and commits to providing evaluations of current programmes (Open Networks Programme and 5G Innovation Regions) upon their conclusion in 2025.
HM Treasury
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1
Conclusion
Accepted
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Committee took evidence on progress delivering UK-wide reliable mobile connectivity.
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (the Department) and Building Digital UK (BDUK), an agency of the Department, on progress in delivering UK-wide …
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Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's introductory conclusion and provides a general update on the Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme, stating that the overarching 95% coverage target is expected to be met ahead of schedule and within budget, with financial risk managed through existing grant agreements.
HM Treasury
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8
Conclusion
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Mobile operators anticipate missing 2024 4G coverage targets, seeking extension from Ofcom.
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 …
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HM Treasury
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9
Conclusion
Accepted
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Shared Rural Network programme faces significant cost challenges, exceeding government funding levels.
Both the Department and BDUK acknowledged that there have been significant cost challenges on the programme.15 On the Extended Area Service element of the programme, 7 C&AG’s Report, paras 7, 2.5 and 2.6 8 C&AG’s Report, paras 3 and 15; …
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Government Response
The government states that the 95% coverage target is on track to be met within budget, highlighting that the SRN grant structure caps government financial contribution for Total Not Spots, and BDUK is working to achieve maximum benefit within existing Extended Area Service funding.
HM Treasury
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10
Conclusion
Accepted
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Department explores options to absorb rising costs, potentially reducing number of masts.
To absorb these additional costs, the Department is considering its options. These include delivering the required increase in 4G coverage but with fewer masts.17 For example, BDUK estimates that only about 170 of the original 292 Extended Area Service masts …
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Government Response
The government confirms the 95% coverage target is expected to be met within budget, citing the SRN's capped grant fund for Total Not Spots that limits government contribution and requires MNOs to cover additional costs, while BDUK works to maximize benefit within Extended Area Service funding.
HM Treasury
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11
Conclusion
Accepted
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Ofcom granting cost relief to operators could jeopardise the 95% 4G coverage target.
BDUK said that the mobile network operators will pick up any additional costs they incur in delivering the programme as they are required to deliver the coverage obligations in their licences from Ofcom. However, the licences also allow the operators …
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Government Response
The government states that the 95% coverage target is on track to be met ahead of schedule and within budget, emphasising that the Shared Rural Network's grant agreement structure caps government financial contributions, thereby transferring delivery risk to MNOs.
HM Treasury
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12
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
BDUK lacked adequate cost information from operators for managing government-funded programme spending.
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 …
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Government Response
The government states the 95% coverage target is expected to be met ahead of schedule and within budget, with the Shared Rural Network's capped grant fund ensuring the government's financial contribution for Total Not Spots does not exceed £300.7 million. The response focuses on general financial risk management and current progress rather than BDUK's specific amendment for cost information mentioned in the conclusion.
HM Treasury
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13
Conclusion
Accepted
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Business case lacked specific evidence on benefits of extending mobile coverage to remote areas.
The Department’s business case for the programme as a whole identified a range of benefits, such as supporting tourism and business productivity in rural areas. It estimated that the programme would result in quantifiable benefits of £1,352 million. However, the …
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Government Response
The government committed to refreshing its benefits model and cost-benefit analysis using new data, undertaking a study on consumer willingness to pay, gathering innovative benefits data from sources like exercise apps, and conducting further qualitative research to increase the evidence base on benefits in remote areas.
HM Treasury
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14
Conclusion
Accepted
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Business case unable to disaggregate cost-benefit analysis for masts in very rural areas.
A number of stakeholders from Scotland, in areas which were particularly remote, have raised concerns about the programme’s impact on the environment and questioned whether the benefits justified the investment of taxpayers’ money.24 We therefore asked if the Department had …
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Government Response
The government agrees and commits to refreshing its benefits model and cost-benefit analysis by December 2024, including a new study on consumer willingness to pay and qualitative research, with findings to inform a Spending Review bid.
HM Treasury
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15
Recommendation
Accepted
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Planning process and site-by-site analysis now identifying specific benefits of individual mast locations.
BDUK added that subsequent decisions about where masts should be located is allowing for greater specificity in identifying the programme’s benefits. For example, when seeking planning permission, DMSL must submit business plans for each cluster of masts and these should …
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Government Response
The government agrees and commits to refreshing its benefits model and cost-benefit analysis by December 2024, using new data, conducting a consumer value study, gathering innovative benefits data, and undertaking further qualitative research to assess the programme's benefits.
HM Treasury
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16
Conclusion
Deferred
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Remaining 5% without 4G coverage are unpopulated areas with limited benefit for infrastructure.
We were concerned about the people in the 5% of the UK landmass that would have no 4G coverage after December 2025, and whether these communities would lose out forever. The Department assured us that the 5% consisted of the …
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Government Response
The government states it's not yet possible to predict exact areas without 4G but will undertake identification of remaining uncovered areas upon completion of the site acquisition phase. It reiterates that few people are expected to be affected.
HM Treasury
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17
Recommendation
Deferred
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Department lacks exact knowledge of specific geographical areas without 4G coverage post-programme.
The Department’s business case for the Shared Rural Network programme did not confirm which specific geographical areas would benefit from better coverage as a result of the programme and which would not.29 We therefore asked if the Department now knew …
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Government Response
The government agrees but states that identifying specific unserved areas is not possible yet as site locations are not finalised; identification will be undertaken upon completion of the site acquisition phase, with a target date of January 2027.
HM Treasury
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18
Conclusion
Accepted
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Satellite technology shows promise for future cost-effective 4G coverage in remote areas.
We asked the Department about the scope for using alternative technologies, such as low earth orbit satellites in place of masts, to provide mobile coverage in those areas which would still have no 4G coverage after the completion of the …
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Government Response
The government agrees with the conclusion but primarily reiterates that the Shared Rural Network is technology-neutral, allowing partners to choose the best technologies, including satellite if it meets minimum speed requirements, without committing to specific new actions regarding satellite trials or deployment.
HM Treasury
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19
Conclusion
Accepted
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Reported mobile coverage often overstates real-world user experience, particularly in rural areas.
Ofcom is responsible for collecting and publishing data on mobile coverage. Ofcom’s coverage data are based on modelled estimates provided by the mobile network operators. Ofcom checks the modelled data by conducting sample tests using antennas attached to some of …
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Government Response
The government agrees and commits to working with Ofcom by January 2025 to improve mobile coverage reporting by obtaining more granular signal strength data from MNOs and experimenting with crowdsourced data to better align reported coverage with real-life experience.
HM Treasury
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20
Recommendation
Accepted
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Indoor mobile coverage data is crucial, especially as 3G networks are switched off.
For the Shared Rural Network programme, the Department reports progress on improving outdoor coverage and not indoor coverage. The Department confirmed that it collects data on indoor coverage. Understanding whether people can get a mobile signal indoors is important because, …
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Government Response
The government agrees and commits to working with Ofcom to improve mobile coverage reporting, including exploring additional data sources and consumer reporting mechanisms, and will ask Ofcom to examine cases where 3G switch-off leads to loss of connectivity and to report on standalone 5G coverage.
HM Treasury
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21
Conclusion
Accepted
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Current coverage data is insufficient to identify very local 4G gaps and infrastructure adjustments.
The Department told us that local gaps in 4G coverage may not be due to the lack of a mast, but due to the nature of the equipment on that mast; for example, the antennas may not be angled correctly …
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Government Response
The government agrees and commits to working with Ofcom by January 2025 to obtain more granular signal strength and quality data from MNOs, and to experiment with crowdsourced data to better understand local 4G coverage gaps.
HM Treasury
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22
Recommendation
Accepted
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Ofcom is set to publish improved local coverage data, but public reporting is needed.
As part of the wireless infrastructure strategy, the Department asked Ofcom to improve its understanding of local coverage gaps. In 2023, Ofcom started using crowdsourced data to better measure the speed of connection that people experience at a local level. …
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Government Response
The government agrees and commits to working with Ofcom by January 2025 to explore methods for consumers to report coverage gaps and to incorporate third-party data to improve mobile coverage reporting.
HM Treasury
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23
Conclusion
Accepted
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Ofcom will not assess Shared Rural Network 4G coverage targets until 2027.
As part of its Shared Rural Network programme, the Department aims to extend 4G coverage to 280,000 additional premises and an additional 16,000 kilometres of UK roads by December 2025.42 Many of the expected benefits of the programme come from …
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Government Response
The government agrees and states BDUK is engaging with Ofcom and MNOs to establish ways to track roads and premises coverage ahead of the official licence obligation assessment in January 2027, with a target implementation date of January 2025.
HM Treasury
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24
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Department lacks visibility on Shared Rural Network progress due to commercially sensitive operator data.
We asked the Department how it will know whether it has achieved its premises and roads targets and whether there was a risk of getting to the end of 2025 without being able to assess progress.45 The Department told us …
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Government Response
The government agrees and commits to working with Ofcom and MNOs to ensure mobile coverage data, including for roads and premises, is published and expanded, and will engage to consider tracking methods by January 2027, with a target implementation date of January 2025.
HM Treasury
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25
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Unverified road and premises coverage data makes programme impact difficult to determine.
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, …
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Government Response
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.
HM Treasury
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26
Conclusion
Accepted
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Department is confident of meeting 2025 targets despite needing better impact understanding.
The Department recognised that it needs to do more work to understand its impact on road coverage, and told us it is working with Ofcom and with the mobile network operators to improve the information available.50 Nevertheless, the Department told …
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Government Response
The government states BDUK is committed to working with Ofcom and mobile network operators to ensure mobile coverage data continues to be published and expanded, and is engaging to consider publishing decimal point coverage figures and better tracking roads and premises coverage ahead of the 2027 license obligation assessment.
HM Treasury
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27
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Poor mobile connectivity on railways is due to high costs and weak commercial case.
Connectivity along major rail routes remains poor. Passengers can struggle to make calls, stream videos or work online. The Department told us that improving connectivity on railways is challenging. It explained that it is hard for the signal to penetrate …
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Government Response
The government acknowledges the conclusion about poor rail connectivity and associated challenges, outlining plans with Ofcom to report on rail coverage and a DfT study to establish baseline data by early 2025.
HM Treasury
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28
Conclusion
Accepted
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Lack of detailed railway mobile coverage data hinders understanding of challenges
The Department told us that it lacks sufficiently detailed data of coverage across the railways. To understand the coverage challenges along different stretches of track, it needs data for each metre. In 2020, the National Infrastructure Commission recommended that Ofcom …
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Government Response
The government agrees and states it has asked Ofcom to report on rail coverage and investigate new data methods, while the Department for Transport has commissioned a study using scanners on engineering trains to establish baseline data by early 2025.
HM Treasury
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29
Conclusion
Accepted
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Network Rail's Project Reach to improve railway connectivity experiencing significant delays
The Department told us that Network Rail, and in turn therefore the Department for Transport and its accounting officer, are responsible for the business case for improving connectivity on the railways. Owing to the infrastructure required, the case for improving …
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Government Response
The department has asked Ofcom to report on mobile coverage on the rail network in its annual report and the DfT commissioned a study using scanners to measure mobile signal strength. The department will outline progress in future updates.
HM Treasury
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30
Conclusion
Accepted
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Government's wireless strategy highlights substantial economic benefits from standalone 5G adoption
Government’s plans for investing in future mobile connectivity are set out in its 2023 wireless infrastructure strategy. 5G is the latest generation of wireless technology. Non-standalone 5G, which makes use of existing 4G infrastructure, can be faster than 4G, while …
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Government Response
The government reiterates its commercially-led strategy for standalone 5G deployment, without subsidy, and describes existing and ongoing programmes like the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, 5G Testbeds and Trials, Open Networks, and 5G Innovation Regions, with future evaluations planned for 2025.
HM Treasury
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31
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Department needs to better integrate and disseminate its extensive 5G research findings
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 …
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Government Response
The government's response, which is identical to another item, fails to address the specific point about drawing together research findings, instead discussing its 5G ambition and general program evaluations.
HM Treasury
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32
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Concerns over significant government 5G investment where commercial solutions might suffice
While we could see the logic of demonstrating the benefits of 5G, the sums involved have been large, and we were concerned that commercial operators could have worked out themselves what benefits they could get from standalone 5G without government …
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Government Response
The government highlights that standalone 5G deployment is commercially funded, while referencing existing initiatives such as the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy and monitoring progress via Ofcom data. It mentions past 5G Testbeds and Trials and ongoing Open Networks and 5G Innovation Regions, with an evaluation due in 2025.
HM Treasury
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33
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Department reluctant to directly fund 5G infrastructure, prioritizing commercially-led rollout approach
The mobile service company Ericsson wrote to us about the UK National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) Second National Infrastructure Assessment which stated that the government should prepare to act fast to support 5G deployment in areas where the market is unwilling …
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Government Response
The government reaffirms its commercially-led approach to 5G deployment without subsidy, stating it monitors progress, implements demand/supply interventions, and continues to work with industry to understand future intervention needs. It highlights ongoing programmes like Open Networks and 5G Innovation Regions.
HM Treasury
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34
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Thirty-Fifth Report - Supporting m…
Department's 2030 standalone 5G ambition lacks clear definitions, funding, and concrete targets
The Department has stated that it wants to see standalone 5G in all populated areas by 2030.66 Although non-standalone 5G is more widely available, the Department thinks it unlikely to meet the UK’s future connectivity needs. The Department has yet …
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Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's observation, reiterating that standalone 5G deployment is an ambition, not a target due to commercial funding, and states it monitors progress via Ofcom's reports and will evaluate ongoing programs by 2025.
HM Treasury
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