Mobile UK Head of Policy and Communications, Gareth Elliott, responds to the Autumn Budget 2017:

“The Chancellor started his budget by stating that the world was on the brink of a technological revolution and from that set expectations for radical solutions to improving the UK’s digital connectivity. While funding announcements were made for investments in 5G and for improving mobile and digital connectivity on trains the overall package fell short.”

“Mobile UK has consistently called for bold solutions to improving the policy, financial and regulatory environment for mobile infrastructure deployment. It had been hoped that action to bring about parity with fixed broadband by extending Business Rates Relief to new mobile infrastructure would have been announced or further funding to assist local authority planning and development functions. Mobile UK will continue to press for these much needed reforms and looks forward to further announcements to go alongside the later publication of the industrial strategy.”