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National Infrastructure Commission takes aim at transport networks, town centre notspots.
The U.K. government must take greater responsibility for driving the rollout of 5G networks, according to a report published on Wednesday, which slated the country’s patchy 4G coverage.
The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) claimed that the U.K. ranks 54th in the world in terms of 4G coverage, lagging less-developed economies including Albania, Panama and Peru.
"The typical user can only access 4G barely half the time," said NIC chair Lord Adonis.
"Our roads and railways can feel like digital deserts and even our city centres are plagued by notspots where connectivity is impossible," he continued. "That isn’t just frustrating, it is increasingly holding British business back as more and more of our economy requires a connected workforce."
The NIC said the government must take an active role to ensure that towns, cities, and the transport networks that link them are 5G ready as quickly as possible.
"5G offers us a chance to start again and get ahead. If government acts now we can ensure our major transport networks and urban centres are 5G ready in time to give British industry every chance to lead the world in exploiting its applications," Adonis said.
The report recommends that the government appoint a cabinet minister with responsibility for digital infrastructure, and give them the power to shape policy across government, and see to it that due consideration is given to networks in every area of government, where relevant.
The NIC said local authorities should also get involved, and actively facilitate the rollout of mobile infrastructure.
The report also recommends that by 2017, the government draws up a plan to improve mobile connectivity alongside roads and railways, identifying who is best placed to install, manage, fund and own said networks. The government must ensure the networks are in place by 2025, the report added.
In addition, the report also called on the government and telco regulator Ofcom should determine a "meaningful set of metrics" that better represent the mobile coverage that people actually receive, establishing a minimum expected service level. Ofcom, the government, and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) should have the power to sanction operators that advertise coverage in a way that does not reflect consumers’ every day experience of their network.
Finally, Ofcom and the government should also review regulations covering network sharing and spectrum allocation in order to maximise access to frequencies and to extend mobile coverage in unprofitable areas.
"From connected vehicles to the Internet of Things, 5G will support a whole new way of communicating and doing business. The U.K. must not be left behind," Adonis said.
Bringing 5G to the forefront of the U.K.’s broadband policy is one of the big topics on the agenda for Total Telecom’s third annual Connected Britain, which takes place in London on 14-15 June 2017. For more information, including speaking and sponsorship opportunities, click here.
