This week we were delighted to hold our annual Parliamentary Reception sponsored by Julie Minns MP and attended by Sir Chris Bryant, Minister of State for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

The annual Mobile UK Parliamentary Reception was well attended by over 80 people. Alongside parliamentarians and government departmental representatives from DSIT, DCMS, DMSL and Defra, there were teams from the mobile network operators and bodies such as the Good Things Foundation and British Chambers of Commerce and partner industry group the Mobile Infrastructure Forum.

Chief Executive of Mobile UK, Hamish MacLeod welcomed everyone to the event which has become a key date in the industry calendar. He introduced Julie Minns MP who made mention of her 13 years industry experience and keen interest in the sector. She highlighted that, more so than any other, the mobile industry has consistently innovated over the last 50 years keeping up a rapid pace of change.

She was followed by an address by Hamish MacLeod who thanked Julie for her support of the event.  

Reflecting on the Government’s emphasis on economic growth, Hamish reinforced the need to attract investment in the mobile networks from which the UK economy and society benefit greatly. He referred to the Digital Connectivity Forum’s 2022 report which estimated an investment gap in delivering full 5G to be between £23-£25 billion.  

He went on to draw attention to industry progress where the UK has a competitive advantage and consumers are seeing the benefits such as successful collaboration in 5G network slicing, innovation in the broadcast and gaming sectors, and the Shared Rural Network (SRN).  

Hamish used his speech to recap Mobile UK’s five policy asks of the Government which he emphasised as crucial to make sure we get the 5G UK customers want and that the UK economy needs:

• Annual Licence Fees – allowing the industry to retain to grow capacity
• Reform of net neutrality – removing the blockers to developing features of 5G
• Business rate holidays – which work well in fixed world and could stimulate investment in mobile
• Funding for Digital Champions roles in local government which can positively impact digital inclusion
• Continue with barrier-busting planning reforms to speed up the roll out of much-needed mobile infrastructure.

He then handed onto the Minister, Sir Chris Bryant, who advocated the importance of the mobile industry but acknowledged the significant challenges faced. He described the opportunity presented by 5G standalone which he underscored his commitment to.  

He called for a clearer idea of where investments need to be made to realise potential efficacy savings for the networks in return for working towards improving productivity in areas such as the NHS, work and pensions and local government.

Citing his personal commitment to digital inclusion he acknowledged that mobile technology has a vital role to play and emphasised that mobile may be the answer to addressing digital deprivation.  

His rallying cry to the industry was to focus on solutions to issues as part of his approach to evidence-based policy. His final point acknowledged that the last Digital Strategy was ten years ago and that we will not be able to grow as an economy if parts of our society is lagging behind.  

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