- Our motorways must have mobile telecommunication networks fit for the future. It is vital that our motorways are able to meet both the long term operational needs of connected vehicles and the connectivity needs of the passengers. This will necessitate the timely installation of an open and accessible mobile telecommunication and backhaul network that is fit for the future.
- The government should set out its plans for how to deliver this by the end of 2017. As part of this work consideration should be given to who is best placed to install, manage, fund and own the network, noting the potential for private sector funding.
- Ensuring that best use is made of the existing infrastructure, such as masts, poles, ducts power supplies and the fibre network alongside our motorways, so that it can be used to support the backhaul of mobile data will be essential.
- Ultimately, the government should ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in place on motorways by 2025 at the latest if it wants to offer a reasonable level of connectivity on a timescale consistent with the deployment of 5G networks.
- Ofcom should set out how a regulatory regime would support these different operating models.
Motorways must have mobile telecommunication networks fit for the future
Published: Updated:
Share this article
Recent Articles
Clean Power 2030 Action Plan “welcome step forward” on energy decarbonisation
The government has this morning (Friday 13 December) published its Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which forms part of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change. The plan sets outs the steps which government will take to move the UK to fully renewable electricity generation, including further steps on speeding up the planning process for major...
Planning changes can support renewables expansion
The government has today announced changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the over-arching policies which outline the government’s priorities for the planning system in England. Though largely focused on changes to support the government’s housing goals, the framework also includes new guidance relating to the planning system for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs),...
Sir John Armitt: PM’s plan for 150 infrastructure DCOs “a huge undertaking”
In a speech this morning, the Prime Minister has set out a number of milestones which the government aims to fulfil over this Parliament on housing, the NHS, policing, clean power and other policy areas. This includes a specific pledge to approve planning decisions on at least 150 major infrastructure projects (through the granting of...