Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what comparative assessment she has made of how the UK compares to other European nations on its proportion of (a) 4G and (b) 5G coverage.

Coverage methodologies and metrics vary across countries, so it is difficult to make like for like comparisons.

For ease of comparison, we have used premises coverage for 4G, which is available outside 99.9% of UK premises. However, the Shared Rural Network programme will help extend coverage to 95% of the UK landmass. According to the most recent data from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the UK compares favourably with population coverage across Europe, and slightly ahead of comparator countries including France at 99%, Spain at 99.6% and Germany at 99.8%.

Basic, non-standalone 5G is available outside 85% of UK premises. According to data from the EU Observatory, the UK’s 5G rollout progress is above the EU average which stands at 81% population coverage. However, the UK falls slightly behind the average of comparator countries' non-standalone 5G progress with Italy at 99%, Germany at 93% and France at 88%.

The Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, published earlier this year, announced the Government’s vision for wireless connectivity and shared a new ambition for nationwide coverage of higher quality, standalone 5G in all populated areas by 2030.