What are the barriers to delivery of full mobile coverage across the UK? What possible solutions exist to these barriers?

Background

BDUK wishes to develop a stronger evidence base around the telecoms market and how it functions at a national level. In these markets, BDUK is interested in increasing understanding of infrastructure planning and decision making, as well as how infrastructure maintenance can be ensured in the long term.

BDUK would like more insight into the barriers to delivery of gigabit and mobile roll-out across the UK and what technological innovations may assist in this. International comparisons for gigabit and mobile connectivity roll out would also be beneficial.

Cutting across all programmes, BDUK wants to understand more about the impacts of fixed and mobile connectivity, specifically how greater connectivity benefits businesses, residents, and public sector organisations. In addition, BDUK also needs more evidence on the behavioural changes connectivity makes to residents and businesses which have been connected, and the wider impacts this may have.

Lastly, BDUK is interested in more evidence on the environmental impact of its work.

Next steps

If you are keen to register your interest in working and connecting with DSIT Digital Technology and Telecoms Group and/or submitting evidence, then please complete the DSIT-ARI Evidence survey - https://dsit.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cDfmK2OukVAnirs.
Please view full details: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-science-innovation-and-technology-areas-of-research-interest/dsit-areas-of-research-interest-2024

Source

This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:

DSIT Areas of Research Interest 2024 GOV UK

Related UKRI funded projects


  • FlexiFone: Improving Mobile Network Coverage across the UK

    FlexiFone aims to improve mobile network coverage across the UK by offering a multi-network mobile service. Customers can simultaneously connect to and can automatically switch between EE, O2, Vodafone & Three, based...

    Funded by: TMF

    Lead research organisation: FLEXIFONE TELECOMMUNICATIONS LIMITED

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project specifically addresses improving mobile network coverage across the UK, which is directly related to the barriers to full mobile coverage and possible solutions mentioned in the question.

  • Seamless and Adaptive Wireless Access for Efficient Future Networks (SERAN)

    Wireless communications is becoming a pervasive technology that we use throughout our lives. Across society, there is a move away from using the internet on desktop computers and towards mobile phones, laptops and tablet...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Edinburgh

    Why might this be relevant?

    Focuses on improving mobile network efficiency and capacity through new concepts and spectrum bands, relevant to UK mobile coverage challenges.

  • Last mile broadband for rural UK via Integrated Access Backhaul

    Broadband is an essential tool for empowering populations and a key priority in the 21st century due to its transformative power as an enabler for economic and social growth. It leads to increased income and reduced unem...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: ORB CONNECT LTD

    Why might this be relevant?

    Addresses barriers to delivery of full mobile coverage in rural areas and proposes a solution using Integrated Access Backhaul.

  • Wireless Telecommunications Networking for Residential and Commercial Developments

    In today's rapidly evolving world, seamless internet connectivity has become vital to our daily lives. The Wireless Telecommunications Networking for Residential and Commercial Developments project aims to establish a st...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: DECAHEDRA TELECOM LTD

    Why might this be relevant?

    Partially relevant as it focuses on wireless telecommunications networking but does not specifically address barriers to full mobile coverage or possible solutions.

  • Optimising Resource Efficiency in Future Mobile Communications

    Mobile communication systems are becoming more and more complex to design (by researchers), operate (by the operators) and used by the people in the street. Mobile users now wish to be always connected, irrespective of t...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Edinburgh

    Why might this be relevant?

    Partially relevant as it focuses on optimizing resource efficiency in mobile communications, but does not directly address barriers to full mobile coverage in the UK.

  • Advanced 5G Open Platform for Large Scale Trials and Pilots across Europe (IMAGINE-B5G)

    The evolution of mobile telecoms networks Beyond-5G creates a tremendous opportunity for Europe to establish leadership in innovation by addressing the requirements of use case from PPDR, smart agriculture, media, eHealt...

    Funded by: Horizon Europe Guarantee

    Lead research organisation: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS (UK) LIMITED

  • EPSRC NETWORK in Next Generation Networks Systems and Services- Enablers for the Digital Economy

    Investment in innovation and research in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is essential in order to foster social and economic inclusion, better public services, and improvements in the quality of life for ...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Ulster

  • Proof of Concept Study into a novel method for providing mobile phone network coverage on the London Underground

    The London Underground is one of the only metro systems in the world to remain without Mobile Phone network voice and data coverage in the tunnels. It has been estimated that the provision of full coverage on the network...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: BATH LABS LIMITED

    Why might this be relevant?

    Partially relevant as it proposes a novel method for providing mobile phone network coverage in the London Underground, but does not address the barriers to full mobile coverage across the UK.

  • Green Heterogeneous Networks

    The tremendous development of mobile networks has enabled ubiquitous communication that has transformed the way people connect with each other. With fast and reliable information exchange, mobile communication is becomin...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Manchester

  • First Mile

    Good connectivity is a basic necessity and yet a third of the global population does not have access to the Internet. The Teletech(c) box provides affordable 5G in the home. It is similar in size and power consumption t...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: OXBP LIMITED