At the Conservative Party Conference, the official opposition set out its central mission: rigorous scrutiny of the government’s plans for economic growth, regional productivity, and national renewal. Yet debates around infrastructure too often default to concrete and steel. While major transport links like Heathrow, rail networks, and roads are undeniably vital, national infrastructure is not solely physical. High-capacity digital infrastructure must be treated with equal urgency as the unseen engine powering the modern British economy.

Mobile networks generate £5 of economic value for every £1 invested, with advanced 5G standalone capability capable of unlocking up to £230 billion in gross value. Despite this potential, rollout continues to be constrained by legacy frameworks that fail to match the pace of technological demand.

Through Mobile UK’s Mobilise Britain campaign, the industry has outlined three pragmatic pillars where constructive parliamentary pressure is urgently needed:

• Mobilise Deployment: Planning friction remains a major barrier. The opposition must hold ministers to account on growth by demanding the swift expansion of Permitted Development Rights (PDR) and removing local planning bottlenecks that stall vital mast upgrades.

• Mobilise Investment: Private capital cannot flow under unsustainable cost burdens. Cross-party scrutiny must push for the rapid conclusion and forward movement of the Mobile Market Review, alongside urgent reform of inflated Annual Licence Fees (ALF).

• Mobilise Innovation: Next-generation connectivity requires a forward-looking regulatory landscape. Modernising net neutrality rules offers a major opportunity to unlock innovation, enabling operators to launch new service models, partner effectively with emerging tech sectors, and realise the true commercial potential of 5G standalone.

Holding government to account requires robust, evidence-led challenge. As the Conservatives refine their parliamentary focus, pushing for the rapid delivery of the Mobile Market Review and meaningful planning reform under PDR will test whether national industrial policy delivers real-world results. Mobile UK urges the official opposition to back the Mobilise Britain campaign—ensuring mobile connectivity sits alongside physical transport at the top of the economic agenda.

To read more about Mobile UK's Mobilise Britain campaign, click here.

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