Mobile UK will be taking part in Connected Britain 2026, the UK’s leading connectivity conference bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to shape the future of the nation’s digital infrastructure.

This year’s event comes at a pivotal moment for the UK’s mobile market, with critical decisions being taken on regulation, investment, and how best to ensure high‑quality connectivity reaches every community, urban and rural alike.  

Mobile UK will be contributing to these discussions during day 1 of the event on the 9^th September through two key panel sessions featuring Hamish MacLeod, Chief Executive, and Gareth Director of Policy and Communications, representing the mobile sector’s collective perspective.

Session 1: Policy and regulatory considerations for the UK’s mobile market

10:35 | Panel discussion
Moderator: Assembly Research

Hamish MacLeod will speak on the Policy and regulatory considerations for the UK’s mobile market panel, which will explore how the UK can sustain a healthy, competitive mobile ecosystem while continuing to attract long‑term infrastructure investment.

The session will focus on:

• Key findings from the Mobile Markets Review and what they mean for the future of competition and consumer outcomes

• Policy and regulatory frameworks needed to support mobile network investment, innovation and resilience

• How regulation can strike the right balance between affordability, competition and the substantial capital investment required to deliver modern mobile networks

Session 2: Bridging the divide: A national strategy for rural connectivity

14:25 | Panel discussion

Later in the day, Gareth will speak on the Bridging the divide: A national strategy for rural connectivity panel, examining how the UK can go further and faster in connecting the hardest‑to‑reach places.

This session will address:

• The balance between government funding and private sector investment in delivering connectivity to rural and remote communities

• Commercial and operational barriers to rural deployment, and how policy can better incentivise long‑term sustainability

• The role of different technologies, including mobile networks, fixed wireless access, fibre and satellite, in achieving ubiquitous rural coverage

With rural connectivity essential to local economies, public services and social inclusion, Gareth will highlight how collaborative approaches between industry and government can help close the digital divide and ensure rural areas are not left behind.

Tickets for the event are now available be sure to purchase here.

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