The UK's social care system faces unprecedented challenges. With an ageing population and rising demand, the need for effective and sustainable care has never been greater. Care home occupancy is at a high of 87% nationally, and the number of people requiring long-term support continues to climb (GOV UK, 2025). Financial pressures are mounting, threatening the quality of care and leaving vulnerable individuals at risk. But there's hope on the horizon: mobile technology.

Mobile connectivity isn't just a technological advancement; it's a lifeline for social care. By harnessing the power of mobile networks, we can bridge funding gaps, enhance efficiency, and empower both caregivers and those receiving care. Critically, it allows us to deliver better care without necessarily increasing costs. To fully realise this potential, the government must build on its growth agenda by better incentivising investment in robust mobile infrastructure. This investment isn't simply about faster downloads; it's about building a more resilient and responsive social care system.

Here's how mobile connectivity is transforming social care:

• Proactive Care through Predictive Analytics: Mobile technology, combined with data analytics, can help predict potential health crises before they occur. By monitoring trends and identifying at-risk individuals, caregivers can intervene proactively, preventing hospitalisations and improving long-term health outcomes. This not only improves individual well-being but also reduces the burden on the healthcare system.

• Remote Monitoring and Telehealth: Mobile connectivity enables caregivers to track vital health metrics and ensure medication adherence remotely, reducing the need for some in-person visits. This can lead to fewer hospital admissions and improved patient outcomes.

• Digital Social Care Records (DSCR): The transition to digital records allows for real-time updates and seamless communication between care providers. This ensures everyone has access to the most current information, improving care quality and reducing administrative burdens. This means more time spent caring, and less time on paperwork.

• Enhanced Workforce Management: Mobile connectivity streamlines scheduling, reporting, and communication among care workers, leading to improved job satisfaction, reduced turnover, and more efficient resource allocation. A happier, more connected workforce translates to better care.

• Supporting Independent Living: Mobile technologies empower individuals to live independently for longer, offering tools for daily living assistance, emergency response, and social engagement. This improves quality of life and reduces the demand for more intensive, costly care services.

Investing in mobile networks is an investment in the well-being of our communities. It's a step towards a more sustainable and equitable future for all. We urge the government to prioritise mobile infrastructure development by increasing resources for planning authorities and accelerating reforms to permitted development rights to speed up network capacity deployment.

Read our spring budget proposal to the national government here, outlining six key opportunities to boost investment in the mobile sector and drive wider economic growth.