On the right track

The importance of digital connectivity, and the infrastructure that provides it, is moving up the national agenda.

The Government is now explicit that the infrastructure behind our everyday signal and speed matters, the masts, fibre and cables that keep services running, businesses trading and communities connected. To this extent, the country is ‘on the right tracks’ when it comes to digital connectivity.

But the pressing question that we explore in our new research report is whether that is translating into delivery at the pace the UK needs.

We commissioned YouGov to carry out two wide-ranging surveys of MPs and consumers, and found a gap between expectation and reality. Consumers experience regular frustration with mobile connectivity, while MPs are hearing frequently from constituents about slow or variable broadband.

We also talked to planning, policy and property experts as well as conducting interviews with 13 of the 14 Mayoral Combined Authorities to find out what needs to happen next to support delivery.

This is turning into a critical issue. The demand for data is rising fast, and AI is accelerating it. Headline coverage numbers, especially for 5G, is no longer the right measure of success. What matters is whether connectivity works where and when people need it. Failing to provide this will impact housesholds, businesses and wider economic growth.

For more detail on our findings, including the scale of the multi-billion pound economic boost that the UK could get from improving rail connectivity, click below to download the full report.  

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