(Image Credit: Raphaël Chekroun)
Vodafone is urging London’s boroughs to allow access to the rooftops of around 1,000 buildings so the company can install additional antennas to strengthen 4G coverage for mobile broadband and voice services.
Londoners use roughly 90 terabytes of mobile data every day, but the capital still trails many major cities in antenna density. London has about 2.5 mobile phone antennas per kilometre, while cities such as Madrid have over twice that density at 6.3 per kilometre.
We are committed to the largest ever investment in London in our 30-year history
Vodafone reports a 76% increase in network usage this year. Despite heavy investment, customers can still experience coverage problems because of outdated planning rules and obstacles that prevent access to key rooftop sites where antennas could be located to meet rising demand.
Jorge Fernandes, Vodafone’s CTO, said: “Londoners are the UK’s biggest consumers of mobile data with around 90 terabytes used every day, which is equal to streaming nearly 23 million average-length songs. Today, we call on local councils to open their rooftops to allow us to make London’s digital network infrastructure world-class.”
Vodafone pledged £19bn (€23bn) of investment in its network and services between March 2014 and 2016. Since earlier network tests placed Vodafone behind competitors, the operator has invested heavily in upgrades, spending about £200 million in London between 2014 and 2015, enhancing rural coverage through femtocell solutions, and introducing HD voice.
The operator now claims 99% population coverage for its 4G services, but indoor coverage drops to 85% and deep indoor coverage — meaning the heart of buildings — falls further to around 60%.
Fernandes added: “We are committed to the largest ever investment in London in our 30-year history and we need their [London’s councils] help. We want to further extend our coverage indoors and out as well as ensure ample capacity to support London for the next twenty years.”
Vodafone has already built and upgraded roughly 460 sites with 4G in strategic locations, including the Shard and other landmark buildings. The company’s appeal to local councils aims to expand that work so Londoners benefit from better indoor and outdoor coverage and increased capacity as demand continues to grow.
Updating planning rules and simplifying access to rooftop sites could speed deployments, improve mobile reliability inside buildings, and reduce pressure on busy cells in dense areas. Allowing more rooftop installations would also support future technologies and higher data consumption, helping London remain competitive with other global cities in mobile connectivity.
While public debate about rooftop access often raises concerns about aesthetics and local impact, many councils already collaborate with operators to balance community interests and connectivity needs. Clearer guidance, streamlined processes, and targeted local agreements could make it easier to expand networks without compromising urban environments.
By combining investment, regulatory cooperation, and practical rooftop access, mobile operators and local authorities can work together to deliver a stronger, more consistent 4G experience across London — reducing dead zones, improving indoor coverage, and ensuring the city’s digital infrastructure keeps pace with demand.
Do you think planning laws need to be updated? Let us know in the comments.