UK government 'must take action' on 5G

A new report, published by the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), has said that the rollout of the UK's future 5G mobile network must have improved handling than 4G.

The report, which was welcomed by Ofcom, said that there must be far fewer dead spots within 5G coverage - with the current 4G network only ranking 54th in the world in terms of coverage.

The Commission stated that, as mobile connectivity has become a necessity, the government must ensure it plays an active role in ensuring that basic services are available in homes and workplaces as well as during travel - making 5G ready as quickly as possible.

The report recommends that the railway network rapidly improve its connectivity offering, which would be best delivered by a trackside network. The government should provide a plan by 2017, and the infrastructure should be in place on key routes by 2025.

Additionally, motorways must have mobile networks fit for the future, with infrastructure in place by 2025, while local authorities and LEPs should work with network providers to develop approaches that enable the deployment of the tens of thousands of small cells we expect to need in our urban centres.

Lord Adonis, chair of the NIC, said: “5G is the future – ultra-fast, and ultra-reliable it has the potential to change our lives and our economy in ways we cannot even imagine today. But the UK is currently languishing in the digital slow lane.

“5G offers us a chance to start again and get ahead. If government acts now we can ensure our major transport networks and urban centres are 5G ready in time to give British industry every chance to lead the world in exploiting its applications.

“But none of this will matter unless we bring our mobile network up to speed. The existing system does not provide the level of coverage we will need in our connected future. We need a new universal service obligation which ensures that the mobile essentials – like text, talk and data – are available to us wherever we need them. From connected vehicles to the internet of things, 5G will support a whole new way of communicating and doing business. The UK must not be left behind.”