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Mobile Phones: South Shropshire

Asked by Stuart AndersonConservativeDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled Answered 18 December 2025UIN 97895

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps are being taken to increase mobile connectivity in South Shropshire constituency.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan

Our ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. Government continues to work closely with the mobile network operators (MNOs), ensuring that we have the right policy and regulatory framework in place to support investment, as well as identifying and addressing barriers to deployment where they exist and it is practical to do so.

In Ofcom’s Connected Nations Annual Report, published on 19 November 2025, it is reported that 4G is available across 88% of landmass in the South Shropshire constituency from all four MNOs, while 5G (combined standalone and non-standalone) is available outside 80% of premises in the constituency from at least one MNO.

Whilst the rollout of 5G infrastructure is primarily commercially driven, government’s Shared Rural Network programme continues to deliver 4G coverage improvements. The programme has upgraded and activated two government funded Home Office masts which are providing new coverage to the more rural parts of South Shropshire.

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