Mobile UK has been ever present at this year's Connected Britain event held at London's eXcel conference centre.

On day one our Director of Policy and Communications, Gareth Elliott, moderated a panel session on understanding the Digital Divide. Joined by Helen Burrows (BT), Nicki Lyons (Vodafone), Sally Dartnell (Good Things Foundation), Heather Clark (Wolverhampton City Council), and James Warner (Full Fibre), discussion topics raised included the impact of digital exclusion, the benefits of connectivity, and the many and complex reasons as to why people might not be digitally included. The overarching conclusion was that collaboration between all stakeholders was key, from national government to local and engagement with industry and charities. Importantly, it was also raised by all that the Government has not upgraded its national inclusion strategy, and this should be a matter of urgency. 

On day two, Hamish MacLeod, our Chief Executive, spoke on a panel discussing how to unlock the 5G eco-system, a topic of immediate interest following the Government's recent announcement of its £88 million R&D investment in innovative connectivity. The panel was moderated by Assembly's Matthew Howitt and Hamish was joined by Gavin Mitchell (Mpirical), Ian Smith (Quickline Communications Ltd), Xavier Nuñez Martinez (BCP Council), and Maria Lema (UKTIN & Co-Founder, Weaver Labs).

The event offered agreat opportunity to meet with colleagues and inform yourself about all the current news and announcements across the mobile world. Mobile UK looks forward to 2024.