Local Councils Critical to Improved Communications

Local councils have critical role to play in improving mobile connectivity, say UK’s mobile network operators.

20:29 23 September 2018

The UK’s mobile network operators have released a report that highlight the critical role that local councils play in improving mobile connectivity. Entitled Councils and Connectivity, the report urges local councils to support 4G/5G deployment, which they say could deliver benefits worth up to £18.5billion to the British economy by 2026.

 

The report calls for strong political leadership to improve network coverage across the country, citing Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority as an example. It is supported by the mayor and has a fully funded and dedicated delivery team to support plans for full-fibre networks, 5G and improvements to mobile coverage.

 

The report also urges local councils to include mobile connectivity in their long-term planning. In this area, Norfolk’s Digital Innovation and Efficiency Committee is a great example. It drew up plans with operators to address ‘not-spots’ following the results of its survey that covered 3,400 miles of roads, 30 railway stations and mainline railways.

 

Local councils can also help achieve the goal by following North Yorkshire County Council’s footsteps in developing best practice, collaboration and exchange of information and ideas. The council has three complementary partnerships in place to understand the approaches of planning authorities and economic strategies. It also has measures in place to explore funding from local enterprise partnerships.