A positive investment environment is vital to ensure the UK is in the strongest position to spur investment in critical national infrastructures to provide the connectivity the UK requires, according to Gavin Winbanks of White Hawk Green, our latest guest on the Live Better Connected podcast,  

Our Director of Policy and Communications Gareth Elliott is joined by Gavin, the founder of Strategic Investment firm White Hawk Green and author of the latest industry report ‘Rebalancing Act: Unlocking the Potential of the UK’s Mobile Industry’ (commissioned by Mobile UK).

During the episode Gareth and Gavin discuss the beneficial impact mobile technology has across many UK sectors. Gavin explains this impact as “turbocharging the sectors of tomorrow and also the sectors of today”. No sector is untouched by the power of mobile and this can be seen across healthcare, smart energy and more. The Rebalancing Act report highlights that through the support of 5G technology the UK can expect a £159 billion boost to the economy by 2030.  

Gavin reflects on the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy put in place April 2023. More needs to be done to ensure the Government goals sets in place are not missed and the full potential of mobile technology can be realised.

Summary of the discussion and report’s recommendations:

• • At a minimum, follow through on policies and actions outlined in the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy – such as reducing annual licence spectrum fees to stimulate investment, reforming traffic management regulations and driving demand in the public sector.
  • Explore further policy actions designed to remove barriers to network rollout – including adequate funding of the planning system, the implementation of Digital Champions within local authorities to promote the rollout and adoption of digital technologies, and further reform of permitted development rights.
  • Implement fiscal measures that will have a direct and immediate impact on improving MNO investment outlook – including Business Rate holidays for new mobile infrastructure).
  • Consider further actions that can be taken to support private capital being deployed in the UK by mobile operators – taking into consideration significant interventions in other territories (such as the Inflation Reduction Act in the US and the Resilience and Reconstruction Fund in the EU) and the need for operators to offer competitive returns to investors.

To learn more about the potential of mobile and the recommendations to spur investment, be sure to watch and listen to the full episode here.  

For further information on Gavin Winbanks and his work at White Hawk Green visit his website here.

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