Mobile UK strongly supports the Government’s proposals, set out in its Housing White Paper, to require local authorities to have planning polices setting out how high quality digital infrastructure will be delivered in their area, and accessible from a range of providers.

Mobile communications networks are national in nature yet many key inputs are determined and made at a local level. It is important that this White Paper ensures that decisions pertaining to nationally significant infrastructure are taken at the appropriate level. Local authorities must also be able to work within an effective framework of policy established nationally.

Mobile connectivity is part of the nation’s critical infrastructure and must be hard-wired into national and local planning policy. Too often the installation of mobile infrastructure is considered post development. Active national and local Government support is essential and should include the development of coordinated plans for the deployment of mobile networks, drawn up in partnership with local authorities, MNOs and in collaboration with other bodies such as Local Enterprise Partnerships.

See Mobile UK’s response to the Government’s Housing White Paper PDF below.

Notes to Editors

1. Mobile UK is the trade association for the UK’s mobile network operators -  EE, O2, Three and Vodafone.
2. The Housing White Paper can be found here.