HM Treasury has not undertaken specific analysis of the digital and telecoms requirements of each Government Major Projects Portfolio project. However, the UK 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy takes a digital-first approach to infrastructure, meaning these needs should be considered a priority as projects are developed.

The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) is working with other government departments to analyse telecoms requirements at a sector level across transport, energy and water and is leading the development of ALIGN - the government’s national infrastructure spatial tool. This is a single digital platform bringing together strategies, data and tools - including AI - to identify local infrastructure needs and constraints. The objective of this work is to provide granular modelling outputs and insights to strengthen the local evidence base for place-based infrastructure investment decisions.

The Government is committed to delivering reliable, high-speed connectivity to care settings across the National Health Service as part of its 10-Year Health Plan.

In line with the NHS Productivity Plan, NHS England’s Frontline Productivity Programme has assessed mobile coverage across England and is working with providers to address variations in 5G services. This includes a national trial to identify innovative solutions that maximise connectivity resilience across care settings, and the trial will include an assessment of potential productivity benefits for frontline NHS services.

Depending on findings, the national trial is expected to conclude in early 2027 with the programme providing the NHS with advice and guidance on deployment of said innovative solutions, thereafter.

The government’s approach to 5G and mobile connectivity is set out in the ‘UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Plan’ on GOV.UK. The government’s ambition is for all populated areas to have standalone 5G by 2030, delivered through commercial investment. The Digital & Technologies Sector Plan (GOV.UK) outlines the Industrial Strategy’s approach to 5G and Advanced Connectivity Technologies. We have already begun to invest in ACT, with over £300 million spent since 2022 to promote R&D through the Open Networks Programme and Technology Missions Fund.

In the 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy published in June 2025, the government committed to delivering an assessment of the telecommunications needs of the energy, water and transport sectors by the end of 2026. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is delivering the cross-sector analysis, with the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority coordinating the overall programme. The Department is contributing evidence on energy sector telecommunications requirements to support this work, which includes requirements for energy-related government plans.

In the 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy published in June 2025, the government committed to delivering an assessment of the telecommunications needs of the energy, water and transport sectors by the end of 2026. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is delivering the cross-sector analysis, with the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority coordinating the overall programme. The Department is contributing evidence on energy sector telecommunications requirements to support this work, which includes requirements for energy-related government plans.

The Government’s ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. As a result of the merger, VodafoneThree has committed to investing £11 billion in its joint network. They state this will lead to 99% UK population coverage by 2030.

The aim of the merger commitments, imposed by the Competition and Markets Authority with input from Ofcom, is to stimulate competition and investment across the sector. Compliance with the merger commitments will be monitored by Ofcom, through regular reporting.

The Government regularly engages with the MNOs, including VodafoneThree, to understand their investment plans and all three have publicly committed significant investment that aligns with our standalone 5G ambition. However, specific rollout plans are commercial decisions, and the Government does not hold details on where network operators plan to rollout their infrastructure geographically.

The Government is also undertaking a Mobile Market Review to assess what further action we can take to support the sector to invest in comprehensive, high-quality connectivity over the long-term. We expect to set out next steps later this year.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has published, via the Digital Connectivity Portal, extensive guidance for local authorities and operators to help facilitate broadband and mobile connectivity deployment. This includes technical information, as well as examples of best practice, such as supporting the appointment of Digital Champions in local authorities, to help deployment in an area go as smoothly as possible. The Department continues to work closely with both local authorities and operators to support the rollout of digital connectivity across the UK.

Since 2023 we have provided over £46 million of funding to local and combined authorities across the UK through the 5G Innovation Regions Programme, which aims to increase investment in 5G networks and encourage the adoption of advanced connectivity services in key sectors.

Accurate mobile coverage reporting is essential to consumer choice, investment and policy development.

Ofcom is responsible for mobile coverage reporting for the UK. Government recognises that there are discrepancies in some cases between the data and individual experience.

Government has restated the importance of Ofcom continuing to improve mobile coverage reporting in the Statement of Strategic Priorities for telecommunications, the management of radio spectrum and postal services, and welcomes the improvements that have been made.

The Government’s ambition for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030 is being led by commercial investment from the mobile network operators. All three network operators have committed significant investment plans which align with this Government ambition.

Through the Mobile Market Review, we are looking to better understand how Government can go further in supporting the sector to deliver widespread, high-quality connectivity. Our Call for Evidence asked for detailed evidence on how the Government should think about, and define, ‘good’ mobile coverage in relation to the quality of service provided to consumers, businesses and the public sector. We also sought views and evidence on whether the Government’s standalone 5G coverage ambition is set at the right level.

Our Call for Evidence closed on 5 May. We are reviewing responses and will set out next steps later this year.

The government supports R&D in the 5G sector to boost growth and ensure secure, resilient digital infrastructure, including through the £271m Advanced Connectivity R&D Programme and the Global Coalition on Telecoms. As part of the government's focus on making the UK one of the best places to grow a technology business, the government continually monitor patent strategies to ensure the patent system is functioning effectively. Business models in which patents are bought, and then enforced against others, may be legitimate.

The Government’s ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030 and this will be achieved primarily by commercial investment from the three Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).

Business models in which patents are bought, and then enforced against others, may be legitimate, including in the 5G sector. Through the Intellectual Property Office, government monitors the effective functioning of the patent system to ensure that incentives to innovate are maintained. The IPO recently undertook a review of the legal framework surrounding Standards Essential Patents to identify and consider how to address a number of issues, including licensing practices. The Government expects to publish a response this summer.

Regarding whether patent trolls impact the rollout of 5G networks, this is not an issue that has been raised with Government, including through the recent Mobile Market Review call for evidence which asked stakeholders for evidence on the major developments occurring across the mobile sector.

The Government’s ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030 and this will be achieved primarily by commercial investment from the three Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).

Business models in which patents are bought, and then enforced against others, may be legitimate, including in the 5G sector. Through the Intellectual Property Office, government monitors the effective functioning of the patent system to ensure that incentives to innovate are maintained. The IPO recently undertook a review of the legal framework surrounding Standards Essential Patents to identify and consider how to address a number of issues, including licensing practices. The Government expects to publish a response this summer.

Regarding whether patent trolls impact the rollout of 5G networks, this is not an issue that has been raised with Government, including through the recent Mobile Market Review call for evidence which asked stakeholders for evidence on the major developments occurring across the mobile sector.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124803 on 20 April 2026.

There have been no specific conversations with this Secretary of State and the Faroese authorities on the topic of 5G rollout. As part of the policy development process, we do consider approaches in other countries, particularly approaches that have addressed specific challenges.

Since her appointment in September 2025, the Minister for Digital Economy, the Minister responsible for digital infrastructure, has met with the Chief Executive Officers of all the mobile network operators to discuss a range of issues, including digital infrastructure rollout, the market, and challenges the sector is facing.

All network operators have committed significant investment in line with Government's ambition for standalone 5G to be available in all populated areas by 2030. Government continues to work closely with operators to identify and address barriers to deployment where appropriate to do so, to support investment and improve mobile coverage and connectivity nationwide.

Through the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom, as the regulator, is responsible for reporting on the availability of electronic communications networks.

The Government uses Ofcom’s Connected Nations mobile coverage data to track mobile networks across the UK. This includes assessing progress against the Shared Rural Network’s 95% 4G geographic coverage target and statutory licence obligations, as well as the Government’s ambition for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G coverage by 2030.

The Shared Rural Network has already met its objective of delivering outdoor 4G mobile coverage to 95% of UK landmass a year ahead of schedule and the programme continues to deliver new coverage to rural areas that need it the most. Standalone 5G is available outside 83% of UK premises from at least one mobile network operator.

The Government’s ambition is for all populated areas of the UK to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. Our ambition goes further than just the largest towns and cities and includes many rural areas across the UK. Delivery of this ambition is commercially led by the three mobile network operators (MNOs).

The network operators have committed significant investment which aligns with Government’s ambition and we are working with MNOs to ensure that this investment translates into benefits for communities right across the UK.

Significant progress has already been made with Ofcom reporting in their Connected Nations Report 2025 that standalone 5G is now available outside of 83% of premises across the UK, but we know there is more to do in some areas.

Government is undertaking a Mobile Market Review to assess the impact of technological, structural and financial market developments on investment in comprehensive high-quality mobile connectivity across the UK.

In parallel we are working to identify and address barriers to deployment of mobile infrastructure. This includes publishing a call for evidence to help determine where planning rules could be relaxed to support the deployment of mobile infrastructure, which closed on 26, February. We are now reviewing the evidence gathered which will inform our next steps.