BT calls for UK planning system overhaul to unlock £230bn economic growth

BT has urged the UK government to remove significant barriers within the nation’s planning system to accelerate the rollout of standalone 5G networks. According to the telecommunications giant, delays in upgrading mobile infrastructure could put more than £230 billion of potential economic growth by 2035 at jeopardy.

The company highlighted that the construction of new phone masts is hampered by unnecessary red tape and under-resourced planning processes. BT has called on the government to prioritise public interest in enhancing mobile connectivity by extending the permitted height of phone masts from 15 to 20 metres. This change, the company said, could shave as much as a year off construction timelines, expediting critical upgrades.

Research conducted by Assembly Research on behalf of BT estimates that a nationwide rollout of 5G Standalone (5G SA) technology could generate £230 billion in economic benefits. A significant portion of this, approximately £124 billion, would come from increased network capacity in high-demand areas, enabling businesses to adopt emerging technologies such as AI and robotics. This growth would improve the UK’s global attractiveness as an investment destination.

Improved 5G coverage could also pave the way for innovations like self-driving cars and enhanced productivity for rail passengers. By boosting connectivity along transport networks, BT suggests that workers commuting by train could utilise their time more effectively, while future technologies could flourish on the nation’s roadways.

The telecommunications group also urged the government to double the spectrum accessible to national mobile services. Currently, certain spectrum bands are allocated for other uses such as broadband access. Making these bands available to mobile operators would provide the necessary capacity to deliver widespread 5G coverage.

The rollout of 5G networks remains a large financial challenge for the UK telecoms sector. Industry estimates suggest there is a £20 billion funding gap between the available investment and what is required to ensure full population coverage by 2030. Howard Watson, BT’s Chief Security and Networks Officer, stated that achieving nationwide 5G SA coverage would require the industry to accelerate its pace of investment and infrastructure expansion.

A government spokesperson from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology emphasised the critical importance of fast and reliable mobile connectivity to the UK economy. The government had previously committed to delivering 5G SA coverage to all populated areas by the end of the decade, with plans to address planning barriers and establish a regulatory framework to support investment and competition in the sector.

|||
BT 5G rollout, UK telecoms investment, economic growth UK, mobile infrastructure planning, UK 5G targets, Howard Watson BTBT seeks planning reforms to unlock billions in UK economic growth |||

BT is calling on the government to overhaul the UK’s planning system to speed up the deployment of standalone 5G networks. The telecoms firm warns that delays could cost the country more than £230 billion in economic gains by 2035 if obstacles within the planning process are not addressed.

The company has identified overly complex and under-resourced procedures as a key factor holding back infrastructure expansion. Expanding the standard height for phone masts from 15 metres to 20 metres could significantly reduce build times for 5G infrastructure, potentially cutting a full year from project timelines.

Analysis by Assembly Research, commissioned by BT, suggests that rolling out 5G standalone (5G SA) technology across the UK would unlock £230 billion in additional economic activity over the next decade. High-density regions would benefit most, contributing around £124 billion by enabling businesses to integrate technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics, which, in turn, could enhance the country’s attractiveness to global investors.

The company notes that improved 5G coverage would also accelerate advancements in transport, such as self-driving cars, while enhancing the productivity of rail passengers. By addressing gaps in connectivity on motorways and rail networks, the UK could further solidify its position as a global leader in innovation and economic competitiveness.

BT is also pushing for the government to double the spectrum available for national mobile networks. At present, certain frequency bands remain allocated to legacy uses such as broadband, but repurposing them for mobile services would be critical for ensuring widespread coverage.

The sector faces significant funding challenges, with industry experts estimating a £20 billion shortfall between available investment and the amount necessary to achieve complete 5G rollout by 2030. BT’s Chief Security and Networks Officer, Howard Watson, said these challenges need to be tackled urgently to meet government targets for 100% 5G coverage in populated areas within the next seven years.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology echoed the importance of mobile connectivity to the UK economy, reaffirming its commitment to removing planning barriers and improving policies aimed at fostering greater competition and investment in the telecoms sector.