Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to improve mobile signal coverage in Shropshire.

According to Ofcom’s Connected Nations Spring update, published on 13 May 2026, as of January 2026, 92% of the Shropshire local authority landmass has 4G geographic coverage from all four mobile network operators (MNO). Standalone 5G is available outside 58% of premises across the local authority from at least one MNO.

Our ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. This ambition includes villages and rural communities as well as towns and cities.

The rollout of higher quality standalone 5G is being led by commercial investment from the three MNOs. All three network operators have committed significant investment plans which align with this Government’s ambition, and through the Mobile Market Review we are looking to better understand how Government can go further in supporting the sector to deliver widespread, high-quality connectivity. The Call for Evidence closed on 5 May, and Government will provide next steps later this year.

We are also addressing barriers to mobile infrastructure deployment including on planning reform in England. We are considering responses to the Government’s recent Call for Evidence and will determine next steps in due course.