Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chris Bryant and Alex Baker

Wednesday 20th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Alex Baker (Aldershot) (Lab)]

7. What comparative assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the roll-out of 5G in (a) the UK and (b) other countries.

[The Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms (Chris Bryant)]

Unfortunately, the UK’s roll-out of 5G has been far too slow. According to Opensignal, the UK ranks 22nd out of 25 European countries for 5G download speeds and availability after 14 years of Conservative rule. We are determined to change that, aiming to have higher-quality stand-alone 5G in all populated areas by 2030.

[Alex Baker]

Access to 5G data is a real issue in Aldershot. According to Ofcom, a third of our households cannot connect to 5G—nearly three times the national average. What are the Government doing to give residents in Aldershot and Farnborough the same data access as the rest of the country, and will the Minister make that work a priority?

[Chris Bryant]

My hon. Friend is right: that work has to be a priority for businesses, families and everybody engaged in her constituency, and for the public sector. We want the Ministry of Defence in her constituency, for instance, to have the highest-quality data access possible, so that we can deliver more effective and productive government across the whole United Kingdom. The work will indeed be a priority for us.