With a new Prime Minister in place, Mark Evans (CEO of O2) has called on the new Government to accept the industry-wide plan for a Shared Rural Network.
Background: New Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has repeatedly stated his commitment to deliver full-fibre broadband to every UK home by 2025. However given the current pace of deployment and costs associated with that, it’s timely that UK mobile operators remind the new administration of their jointly agreed proposal to significantly improve mobile coverage in rural areas across the UK. While they are not claiming 4G will replace the need for full-fibre broadband, there is a suggestion that it can achieve quicker results for a fraction of the cost.
What is the Shared Rural Network (SRN)? While 4G coverage has improved significantly in the last few years, only 67% of UK landmass receives 4G coverage from all four operators, and about 7% of the UK receives no 4G coverage at all. The implementation of the SRN is expected to lift all-operator 4G landmass coverage from 67% to 92%. In stage one of the SRN, it is proposed that the four operators fund and develop a network of infrastructure, which they will all share and use. The existing infrastructure of the different operators will be transformed into a single, shared network asset. This programme of work is expected to eliminate partial not spots (where there is service from some but not all operators). Stage two is focused on addressing total not spots (where no operator is currently present). Additional infrastructure sites will be built or upgraded – again, used and shared by all the operators – to bring 4G coverage to parts of the UK for the very first time.
What is being asked for in return? Namely two things, first that Ofcom ensure all mobile operators are able to acquire contiguous blocks of spectrum to facilitate more efficient 5G roll out, and secondly further reform of planning policy and easier access to government-owned properties that are in prime locations for digital infrastructure (masts).
Next steps: Over the past few months, the industry claims to have had positive dialogue about the SRN with Ofcom and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. What they would like to see now is for the new government to continue the momentum and progress of those talks, and reach a full agreement.
