Delays to the rollout of 5G could cost the country tens of billions, a think tank has warned today.
In a new report, the Centre for Policy Studies argues a faster rollout of 5G could provide a £41bn boost to the UK’s economy by 2027.
It warns that the delivery of 5G infrastructure is stalling, and if delays continue at their current rate, over 11 million households and businesses could miss out on vital digital connectivity by 2027.
The report calls for urgent reforms to the Electronic Communications Code and national planning rules to speed up the rollout of 5G.
Alex Jackman, report author and former digital adviser to the Government, said: ‘Digital networks and the services they support have underpinned our resilience to COVID-19 and they will drive our recovery. By expanding them, we deliver not only immediate benefits but also the essential foundation stone for 5G.
’This is no time for the Government to be passive on the deployment environment - the difference between the UK as a 5G pioneer and ceding leadership to others is as much as £173bn.’
