The location of the remaining 40 mast upgrades that are due to be delivered by the Shared Rural Network programme by January 2027 can be found in the table below.

Decisions on the location of mobile masts are a matter for local planning authorities, who determine planning applications and, where relevant, prior approval applications on matters such as siting and appearance. This provides an opportunity for representations to be made to the local planning authority and that they are able to take local considerations into account alongside the need for mobile infrastructure.

The Government acknowledges industry views that current planning rules can slow the deployment of digital infrastructure. In response, we launched a joint call for evidence with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on proposals to explore whether reforming planning rules for digital infrastructure could support deployment. The government is now considering the responses and will set out next steps in due course.

Our ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030; this is commercially led and it is for network operators to define infrastructure deployment plans that align with this.

No assessment has been made of the comparative adequacy of mobile mast density in the UK against other European countries. It would be difficult to compare these across markets in a meaningful way as the mast density will be dependent on factors including market structure, topology, reusability and sharing of infrastructure, as well as spectrum availability.

Our ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030; this is commercially led and it is for network operators to define infrastructure deployment plans to deliver this ambition. Network operators have committed significant investment that align with Government’s ambition and already made significant progress with Ofcom reporting that as of January 2026, standalone 5G is available outside of 93% of premises across the UK from at least one operator.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 of June 2026 to Question 9431.

No assessment has been made on the merits of establishing a register of mobile mast sites. However, Ofcom’s Map Your Mobile tool, which was launched in June 2025, helps consumers to determine which mobile network provides the best level of service in their area. Our ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030; this is commercially led and it is for the network operators to define infrastructure deployment plans that align with this.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 27 May 2026 to Question UIN 2526, regarding the Government’s position on deployment challenges faced by mobile operators with regards to Notices to Quit.

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

We estimate that the Renewals Provisions will affect approximately 12-18% of UK mobile mast sites. This reflects the number of live agreements that could be affected by the Renewals Provisions, drawn from confidential data provided by industry and internal estimates, as a proportion of the estimated total number of mobile sites in the UK. Given the commercially sensitive nature of the data, further detail is not possible.

The Renewals Provisions extend the changes to the statutory valuation framework introduced by the 2017 Electronic Communications Code to certain cases regulated by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and the Business Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 upon their renewal.

Based on reporting by Ofcom in its Connected Nations reports, 4G geographic coverage from all four operators has risen from 40% in 2016 to 84% in 2026 and 5G premises (outdoor) coverage has reached 64% from all four operators in 2026.

We estimate that the Renewals Provisions will affect approximately 12-18% of UK mobile mast sites. This reflects the number of live agreements that could be affected by the Renewals Provisions, drawn from confidential data provided by industry and internal estimates, as a proportion of the estimated total number of mobile sites in the UK. Given the commercially sensitive nature of the data, further detail is not possible.

The Renewals Provisions extend the changes to the statutory valuation framework introduced by the 2017 Electronic Communications Code to certain cases regulated by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and the Business Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 upon their renewal.

Based on reporting by Ofcom in its Connected Nations reports, 4G geographic coverage from all four operators has risen from 40% in 2016 to 84% in 2026 and 5G premises (outdoor) coverage has reached 64% from all four operators in 2026.

Government does not hold this level of detailed information. Mobile network operators have legal obligations to put in place appropriate and proportionate measures to ensure the resilience of their networks and services. This is overseen by the independent regulator Ofcom, who have powers to monitor compliance, conduct investigations, issue penalties and enforce remedial actions.

Residents in all areas of the country, rightly expect to have reliable mobile connectivity to participate in the modern digital economy. The Government recognises that events like storms and power outages can have a particular impact on rural communities. That is why, with support from the Government Ofcom have completed a public consultation on power back-up for mobile services across the UK, which identified a particular impact on rural communities. They published an update on their work in February 2025 and announced they are completing further analysis to determine the appropriate and proportionate measures required to ensure adequate resilience for consumers. Government looks forward to Ofcom concluding this work as soon as possible.

Government is also supporting collaboration between the electricity and telecommunications sectors to deliver measures so that when power cuts occur the likelihood of disruption to telecommunications services is as low as possible, and where disruption does occur it should affect as few people for the shortest possible time. This will include all areas of the country and will help strengthen resilience of mobile networks.

Network Rail is exploring options for the shared use of its existing trackside telecommunications infrastructure, including through programmes such as the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) and Project Reach. This includes undertaking studies to determine whether assets such as masts and associated structures could support mobile network operators’ equipment, with opportunities for co‑location and targeted upgrades being actively considered as part of the solution to address coverage gaps along the rail corridor.

Guidance has not been published as a single consolidated document for the telecommunications industry. Instead, requirements are set out through a combination of Network Rail standards, contractual arrangements and programme-specific frameworks, which continue to evolve as delivery models for improved rail connectivity are developed.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124803 on 10 April 2026.

The Electronic Communications Code allows for site providers to serve Notices to Quit in specific limited circumstances, including if land is to be redeveloped and is no longer suitable to host telecommunications apparatus, or needs to be moved.

We recognise that mobile operators have raised concerns about the impact of Notices to Quit on the deployment of mobile infrastructure, particularly in more urban areas, as operators search for alternative sites to host equipment. To minimise the impact of this on mobile coverage and capacity, in its recent Call for Evidence on reforms to planning legislation, the government proposed to extend the period by which equipment can be deployed on an emergency basis without planning permission from 18 months to 36 months. This will ensure operators can continue to provide connectivity to local areas without planning permission while they identify new permanent sites. We are considering the responses to this Call for Evidence and will set out the next steps in due course.

The Electronic Communications Code allows for site providers to serve Notices to Quit in specific limited circumstances, including if land is to be redeveloped and is no longer suitable to host telecommunications apparatus, or needs to be moved.

We recognise that mobile operators have raised concerns about the impact of Notices to Quit on the deployment of mobile infrastructure, particularly in more urban areas, as operators search for alternative sites to host equipment. To minimise the impact of this on mobile coverage and capacity, in its recent Call for Evidence on reforms to planning legislation, the government proposed to extend the period by which equipment can be deployed on an emergency basis without planning permission from 18 months to 36 months. This will ensure operators can continue to provide connectivity to local areas without planning permission while they identify new permanent sites. We are considering the responses to this Call for Evidence and will set out the next steps in due course.

On December 18 2025, my Department, in conjunction with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, launched a joint Call for Evidence on reforming planning rules to accelerate deployment of digital infrastructure. This Call for Evidence closed on 26 February 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here.

My officials are aware of the report in question, and it will be taken into account as part of the wider body of evidence submitted to the Call for Evidence.

The Department works closely with Ofcom on a range of issues including those related to the deployment of mobile networks and infrastructure and continues to engage on how sharing of masts and sites can be encouraged where appropriate.

Duties and obligations relating to telecommunications installations are included in the Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and Restrictions) Regulations 2003, which include requirements to share apparatus where practicable.

The Code of Practice for Wireless Network Development also sets out best practice guidance for mobile network operators and local authorities on deploying wireless infrastructure, including considerations for siting equipment. It complements existing legislation and provides clear, practical advice to support all stakeholders involved in the deployment process.

The Communications (Access to Infrastructure) Regulations 2016 further gives operators the right to request access to another operator’s infrastructure.

I refer the hon. Member to the public consultation on the proposed New Towns Programme and its environmental implications launched on 23 March 2026. This can be found on gov.uk here.

Between 18 December 2025 and 26 February 2026, the government undertook a call for evidence in respect of reforming planning rules to accelerate deployment of digital infrastructure. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received with a view to determining next steps, which may include consulting on draft measures and, where appropriate, bringing forward necessary legislation.