The UK is in danger of becoming an also-ran in the global race to roll out high-speed fifth-generation mobile phone networks, capable of supporting the government’s efforts to turn Britain into the next Silicon Valley, according to analysts and industry executives.
Despite being one of the first countries to start implementing 5G commercially in 2019, the UK is now falling behind because of limited investment by mobile phone operators and disruption caused by the government’s ban on kit from Huawei, the Chinese telecoms equipment maker.
Ofcom, the telecoms regulator, said in May that 5G mobile coverage from at least one operator was available at 82 per cent of places where people live and work in the UK, but the figure falls to 22 per cent for areas covered by all network providers.