- 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

Armitt: New Planning & Infrastructure Bill “covers all the bases”
The Commission has welcomed the publication today (11 March) of details of the government’s Planning & Infrastructure Bill, which has been introduced to Parliament. The Bill sets out a range of measures designed to deliver the government’s programme of housebuilding and infrastructure reforms through reforming the operation of the planning system, many of which reflect...

Armitt: CCC advice shows “clear path” to future decarbonised UK
The Climate Change Committee has today published its advice to government on the next steps to achieving a decarbonised UK by 2050, and it aligns closely with recommendations on the electrification of heating and transport which the Commission made in its own recommendations to government in the second National Infrastructure Assessment. In its evidence setting...

Invest in electricity distribution networks to maximise consumer benefits of net zero energy shift
A “step change” in investment in Great Britain’s local electricity networks is essential to achieve the government’s growth mission and lower long term energy costs for consumers, according to the government’s independent infrastructure advisor. The National Infrastructure Commission’s new report Electricity distribution networks: Creating capacity for the future says that with demand for electricity set...