London faces a pivotal moment regarding its digital connectivity infrastructure, with the forthcoming New London Plan presenting a unique opportunity to embed mobile infrastructure as a key element of the city's economic and social fabric. According to Mobile UK, this iteration of the plan must address the serious shortcomings found in previous versions, which have left London trailing behind not only global cities but also other UK cities in terms of 5G performance and overall mobile service quality. Despite London's significant economic contribution—accounting for over 20% of the UK economy with an output of £531 billion in 2023—its median 5G download speeds lag far behind leaders like Glasgow, and it ranks tenth for 5G quality of experience across Europe, far below cities such as Stockholm. This underperformance threatens London’s competitive edge on the world stage.
The challenges in London’s mobile infrastructure deployment are complex and unique. Issues such as around 7% of key rooftop sites being unavailable due to Notices to Quit, coupled with the constant development of tall buildings disrupting network coverage, create significant barriers. Additionally, the borough-by-borough planning system results in inconsistent and often prohibitive pre-application fees—ranging from a few hundred to several thousand pounds—adding financial and administrative burdens on infrastructure providers. These factors combine to create a fragmented and unpredictable environment that hinders swift mobile infrastructure rollout.
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) provides a baseline government policy, but the New London Plan must go further by creating a London-centric policy that addresses these distinctive challenges head-on. The Mayor’s office recognises the necessity for the London Plan to be consistent with the NPPF while actively translating those requirements into policies tailored for London. Without a robust and dedicated digital connectivity policy embedded in the plan, London risks stagnation in its mobile network capabilities, which could have a knock-on effect on the city’s economic dynamism and social inclusion.
The London Plan 2021 already includes Policy SI 6, mandating new developments to provide adequate ducting for full fibre connectivity and ensuring mobile connectivity is maintained or enhanced. This policy also supports maximising the use of rooftops and public spaces for digital infrastructure, signaling an awareness of the critical role digital infrastructure plays in sustaining London’s global competitiveness. Complementing this, the Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Guidance, published in late 2024, sets out detailed implementation steps for Policy SI 6, reinforcing the importance of integrating full fibre and mobile infrastructure in both new and existing developments.
Transport for London has also stepped up efforts to enhance digital connectivity, notably through a collaboration with Boldyn Networks aimed at achieving extensive 4G and 5G coverage across the Tube, Elizabeth line, DLR, and Overground networks, including tunnels. This initiative is part of the broader Connected London programme funded by the Greater London Authority, which also aims to improve mobile coverage on major roads and support boroughs in expanding digital infrastructure, including enhanced CCTV capabilities. These efforts reflect a practical attempt to bridge connectivity gaps and promote London as a smarter, safer city.
The Mayor’s commitment to digital inclusion extends beyond infrastructure provisioning. Under the Digital Access for All mission, the goal is for every Londoner to have access to reliable connectivity, basic digital skills, and the necessary devices or support to get online by 2025. The London Plan’s policies exceed national building regulations by requiring buildings to be fitted with infrastructure capable of supporting speeds far beyond the minimum standard, emphasising the city’s ambition to lead in digital provision.
However, despite these steps, the mobile industry's response to the New London Plan calls for a more coherent and ambitious framework that can tackle the inconsistent planning environment and site access challenges unique to London. Industry leaders are ready to invest and build the necessary infrastructure but need clear, supportive policies from the Mayor and the GLA to navigate regulatory complexities and realise a truly connected London. The plan’s success hinges on establishing a strong regional framework that can support and accelerate digital connectivity deployment, ensuring London retains its status as a competitive global city in the digital age.
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Source: Noah Wire Services