Mobile UK, the trade association for the UK’s MNOs, this week held its annual Parliamentary reception, sponsored by Julie Minns MP and attended by Sir Chris Bryant, Minister of State for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
More than 80 people attended the event, including parliamentarians and government departmental representatives from DSIT, DCMS, DMSL and Defra, as well as teams from the MNOs and bodies such as the Good Things Foundation and British Chambers of Commerce, and partner industry group the Mobile Infrastructure Forum.
Chief executive of Mobile UK, Hamish MacLeod welcomed everyone to the event, introducing Julie Minns MP. Minns highlighted that, more so than any other, the mobile industry has consistently innovated over the last 50 years, keeping up a rapid pace of change.
She was followed by an address by MacLeod, who thanked her for her support of the event. Reflecting on government’s emphasis on economic growth, MacLeod reinforced the need to attract investment in the mobile networks, from which the UK economy and society benefit greatly. He referred to the Digital Connectivity Forum’s 2022 report, which estimated an investment gap in delivering full 5G to be between £23 billion and £25 billion.
MacLeod went on to draw attention to industry progress where the UK has a competitive advantage and consumers are receiving the benefits, such as successful collaboration in 5G network slicing, innovation in the broadcast and gaming sectors, and the Shared Rural Network.
He also used his speech to recap Mobile UK’s five policy asks of government, which he said were crucial to make sure the MNOs get the 5G UK customers they want and that the UK economy needs. These are: the introduction of annual licence fees, reform of net neutrality, business rate holidays, funding for digital champions roles in local government, and continuing with barrier-busting planning reforms to speed up the rollout of much-needed mobile infrastructure.
MacLeod then handed onto Bryant, who advocated the importance of the mobile industry, but acknowledged the significant challenges faced. He described the opportunity presented by 5G standalone, which he underscored his commitment to.
Bryant also called for a clearer idea of where investments need to be made to realise potential efficacy savings for the networks in return for working towards improving productivity in areas such as the NHS, work and pensions, and local government.
Citing his personal commitment to digital inclusion, he acknowledged that mobile technology has a vital role to play and emphasised that mobile may be the answer to addressing digital deprivation.
Bryant also called on the industry to focus on solutions to issues as part of his approach to evidence-based policy.