PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Mobile Phones: Radio Frequencies (7 December 2016)

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to paragraph 3.20 of the Autumn Statement 2016, what her timetable is for (a) tackling network not spot zones and (b) national roll-out of 5G.

Asked by:
Dr Andrew Murrison (Conservative)

At 2016 Autumn Statement, the Government announced £1bn of new funding to boost the UK's digital infrastructure, including a programme of testbeds and trials to support the deployment and development of 5G. Further detail will be set out at Budget 2017 alongside a new 5G strategy, to ensure that the UK is able to maximise the opportunities from 5G leading to widespread deployment as soon as it is commercially viable.

To tackle mobile not-spots, the Government locked in £5bn industry investment with each mobile operator having a licence obligation to provide coverage to at least 90% of UK landmass by end 2017. Additionally O2 has a licence obligation to provide indoor 4G coverage to 98% of premises, also by the end of 2017. These obligations will be enforced by Ofcom who will have a new power, under the Digital Economy Bill, to fine operators if they fail to meet these targets.

Answered by:
Matt Hancock (Conservative)
15 December 2016