Ian Murray, the Minister responsible for Telecoms in the new Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS), has outlined the government's vision for digital infrastructure. Speaking at ExCeL London, Mr Murray detailed a system-wide approach built on four key principles.
These principles include ensuring people and businesses have the connectivity they need, supporting strong UK companies with affordable connections, building secure and resilient networks, and creating a globally competitive UK ecosystem in advanced connectivity technologies.
The government reported that gigabit broadband now reaches 88% of premises, with a commitment to achieve 99% coverage by 2032. Over 1.4 million premises have received gigabit-capable coverage through BDUK subsidies, with approximately 310,000 of these since July 2024. Additionally, over 150 mobile masts have been built or upgraded, extending 4G coverage to thousands of square kilometres that previously had no signal.
Measures are also being introduced to address deployment barriers, including reforms in the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill and the planning system. Ofcom has been directed to review the Broadband Universal Service Obligation and assess sector needs for the 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy.
The government also launched a Mobile Markets Review Call for Evidence to gather views on the long-term health of the market, with next steps to be set out by the end of this year. A public consultation on protecting the UK’s subsea cables is also planned.