The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee’s report on the Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme highlights significant challenges in meeting the UK government’s target of 95% 4G landmass coverage by December 2025.
Initiated in 2020, the SRN set out to raise 4G coverage from 91.4% to 95% of the UK land area. Coverage has increased to 93.1%, but progress is slowing because the remaining 4G gaps are in harder-to-reach locations. The Committee’s findings show that three of the four mobile network operators have warned the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology that they are unlikely to meet interim coverage obligations set by Ofcom by June 2024.
The government committed £501 million to the SRN, but the programme is under cost pressure. The Committee notes the Department is uncertain how much overall costs will rise, what proportion taxpayers will have to cover, and whether these pressures will affect operators’ ability to meet coverage targets.
Uncertainty over which areas will remain uncovered
A major concern is the lack of clarity about which specific areas will remain without 4G once the SRN completes its work. The Department has not yet set out a plan for the roughly 5% of the UK landmass that is not expected to be covered. That uncertainty affects residents, businesses and local services in remote and sparsely populated locations.
The report also criticises current public reporting on mobile coverage, pointing out that Ofcom’s published data does not always match everyday user experience. Local geography, building materials and other factors can materially reduce coverage quality for consumers. The Committee recommends that the Department and Ofcom collaborate to ensure coverage metrics better reflect real-world experience, including using crowd-sourced data where appropriate to improve accuracy.
The Committee scrutinises the government’s £400 million investment in 5G, questioning the tangible benefits delivered so far. It calls for continued oversight to ensure future spending is justified and delivers measurable outcomes. The report highlights that emerging technologies, such as low earth orbit satellites, could complement traditional mobile infrastructure and should be considered when planning how to close persistent connectivity gaps.
Recommendations to improve delivery and transparency
To address the problems identified, the Committee makes a series of practical recommendations:
- Cost management: The Department and BDUK should work closely with mobile network operators to obtain accurate data on rising costs, manage those increases effectively and ensure the taxpayer is appropriately protected while coverage targets remain achievable.
- Revisiting benefits: The Department should update its cost‑benefit analysis to clarify who gains from improved connectivity. This should inform decisions about mast locations and other investment choices to maximise public value.
- Explore alternatives: For areas that will remain uncovered, the Department should evaluate alternative technologies — including low earth orbit satellite services — to provide reliable connectivity where conventional masts are impractical.
- Improve data accuracy: The Department should work with Ofcom to develop mechanisms for consumers and businesses to report coverage gaps in real time, and to incorporate crowd-sourced and field data so published coverage maps better reflect actual experience.
- Track progress publicly: The Department must maintain up-to-date information to track progress against targets for 4G availability on roads and at premises, and report publicly on these metrics so stakeholders can see how the programme is performing.
- Rail connectivity: Improving mobile coverage on rail networks should be prioritised. The Department should collaborate with the Department for Transport and Ofcom to gather more granular, current data to guide investment decisions for rail corridors.
Addressing these issues is essential if the UK is to meet its connectivity ambitions and ensure that rural communities, businesses and travellers benefit from reliable mobile services. Clearer data, effective cost controls, and consideration of complementary technologies will be key to closing the most difficult coverage gaps.
(Photo by Omar Ram)
See also: BT to slash additional £3B in costs following full-fibre rollout peak
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