The hidden infrastructure behind everyday connectivity

Mobile connectivity relies on tens of thousands of masts, poles and antennas on rooftops, pavements, verges and fields across the UK. This physical infrastructure underpins:

• how we work
• how we manage our digital lives
• how families and communities stay connected

Without it, the UK’s digital economy simply cannot function.

Planning rules are holding back the UK’s digital future

Despite its importance, the ability to invest in, build, maintain and upgrade this mobile network infrastructure is being held back by planning rules not fit for 5G. These regulations slow down deployment, restrict upgrades and ultimately limit the quality and reach of mobile connectivity across the UK.

Why reform is urgent

Government consultations on planning reform are welcome, but fast and effective implementation is needed.

Delays mean:

• communities receive poorer mobile service
• businesses miss out on productivity gains
• public services cannot fully benefit from digital transformation
• the UK risks falling behind global competitors

Every month of delay reduces the transformative impact that mobile networks, particularly 5G Standalone, can deliver.

Small planning reforms would unlock faster upgrades and better coverage

Small, targeted changes to the UK planning system would have a major impact. Allowing a small increase in the height and width of mobile network equipment on existing sites, whether on rooftops, pavements, verges or fields, would enable faster upgrades and help maximise 5G capacity and coverage. These are modest adjustments with significant national benefits.

Small updates to planning rules in England would unlock:

• £1–2.5 billion in immediate economic benefits
• faster deployment of 5G upgrades
• stronger and secure networks
• reduced administrative pressure on Local Planning Authorities

These reforms require simple amends to legislation and no new public funding, the mobile industry funds the upgrades itself. Unlike most national infrastructure projects, the UK’s mobile networks are almost entirely privately funded, with operators already committing billions of pounds of investment by the end of the decade.