News

March 27, 2019

Mobile UK welcomes DCMS Statement of Strategic Priorities for Telecommunications and the Management of Radio Spectrum

Mobile UK welcomes the Government’s use of the Statement of Strategic Priorities for Telecommunications to promote transparency, consistency and regulatory certainty. Maintaining stability and openness in a fast-moving technological sector is essential in preserving the mobile operator’s cost of capital so that they can continue to build out their networks.

The SSP presents an excellent opportunity to ensure that Government and Ofcom are aligned behind a pro-investment framework and thereby enable the Government to meet its ambitions of ensuring the UK is a world-leading digitally connected country.

The industry also recognised in its response that further work and partnership is required in rural areas and is committed to finding a sensible solution to achieving additional coverage that does not adversely impact consumer prices or risk wider rollout becoming economically unviable.

However, in responding to this consultation, the industry vigorously disagrees with the view that the telecoms sector is lagging behind other essential services in terms of customer experience. High levels of customer satisfaction have been maintained, while, over 30 years taking customers through a massive and continuous learning process, with new services always being designed and presented with an absolute focus on customer capabilities and needs.

Hamish MacLeod, Director at Mobile UK, said:

“The telecoms sector is a fast-moving industry that has delivered huge benefits and technological change to the country and consumers. The SSP is welcomed as it aims to provide certainty and transparency and acknowledges that to continue to deliver first-class mobile connectivity investment must be prioritised.”

Notes to Editors

  1. Mobile UK is the trade association for the UK’s mobile network operators -  EE, O2, Three and Vodafone.
  2. Mobile UK's response can be read in full below.
Mobile UK's response PDF

About Building Mobile Britain

Building Mobile Britain logo

Building Mobile Britain is a campaign created by Mobile UK seeking to work with national and local government, as well as interested industry groups to overcome the challenges we face with expanding the existing mobile networks, while also developing innovative services for customers.

See here for further information - or #BuildingMobileBritain

Media Contacts

Gareth Elliott
Head of Policy and Communications
Tel: 07887 911 076
Email: press@mobileuk.org

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