Upwardly Mobile: How the UK can gain the full benefits of the 5G revolution

1/10/2020

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Nick King | Centre for Policy Studies

The Upwardly Mobile report, by Managing Director Nick King and Alex Jackman, discusses the UK's lag in the global race for 5G leadership and the critical impact of connectivity on economic growth and regional equality. Historically an industrial leader, the UK now faces intense competition, with countries like China and South Korea making massive investments in 5G infrastructure. The report suggests that enhanced 5G could generate an additional £34 billion in economic output by 2027, potentially more if deployment exceeds expectations.

Achieving these gains, however, depends on addressing specific challenges. The UK has invested nearly £50 billion in mobile and fibre infrastructure, but delays from the Covid-19 pandemic, the phase-out of Huawei equipment, and complications within the legal framework governing 5G deployment could hinder this progress. One core issue highlighted is the 2017 Digital Economy Act and its Electronic Communications Code, originally intended to facilitate faster 4G and 5G rollouts but now hindered by legal ambiguities. This leads to disputes between infrastructure providers and landowners, slowing deployment.

Key recommendations include revising the Code to better support digital rollout. These revisions would give judges additional authority to expedite site agreements, streamline renewal times, and promote constructive negotiations between providers and property owners. Other suggested reforms involve updating national planning frameworks to prioritize mobile connectivity in Local Plans and coordinating infrastructure development across government agencies.

The report also points to rural and remote areas, which face connectivity issues that impede local businesses and residents. By expanding digital infrastructure and enhancing 4G, the groundwork for 5G would improve, fostering more equitable opportunities and supporting the government's goal of "levelling up" underserved regions. For this vision to succeed, the government must focus on creating a favourable policy environment, address planning bottlenecks, and foster public-sector leadership on 5G.