Written questions

Mobile Phones: Rural Areas

2026-06-17 · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology · 11299 · Official question

Rachel Gilmour

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of mobile phone coverage in rural areas; and what steps he is taking to tackle gaps in mobile and broadband connectivity in Oake in Somerset.

Answer

Our ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. This includes rural communities such as Oake, as well as towns and cities. In their Connected Nations Spring update (13 May 2026), Ofcom reported that as of Ja...