Committee publication · Correspondence · 1 July 2026
Correspondence from Minister for Digital Economy, re. Digital inclusion and telecoms modernisation, 23 June
From: Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Inquiry: Digital inclusion and telecoms
Summary
Baroness Lloyd responds to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee's June inquiry on digital inclusion and telecoms modernisation. The government outlines its 2G switch-off strategy—backed by a Charter covering 95% of mobile customers—scheduled between 2029–2030, emphasising safe transition for vulnerable users. It details quarterly compliance monitoring, research investments (£800k+ on digital exclusion), and new measurement tools including a Public Engagement Survey (results due 16 July) and updated Essential Digital Skills Framework (relaunch autumn 2026).
Key findings
- 2G switch-off timelines set: EE and VMO2 (2029), Vodafone-Three (2030); governed by industry 2G Switch-off Charter signed by operators covering ~95% of mobile customers.
- Government conducting cross-departmental risk assessment targeting life-critical applications, vulnerable users (telecare, health alarms), and critical national infrastructure; intends to publish transition data later in 2026.
- Formal quarterly monitoring process initiated with MNOs/MVNOs to track migration progress, remaining 2G users, and critical use cases; separate from Ofcom's regulatory oversight.
- Digital inclusion measurement enhanced via new Public Engagement Survey (c.30,000 UK adults annually, first results 16 July 2026) and updated Essential Digital Skills Framework (autumn 2026 relaunch).
- £11.9m Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund supporting 80+ community-led projects in England; £1.47m delivered to Devolved Governments; independent evaluation due summer 2026.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Baroness Lloyd, Dame Chi Onwurah MP, EE, Vodafone-Three, VMO2, Ofcom, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology, UK Government (cross-departmental)
Notable line
“The Government's priority is that the 2G switch-off happens safely, protecting vulnerable users and ensuring continuity for essential services and critical national infrastructure.”
Key Quotes
“Moving away from legacy networks will support faster and more reliable connectivity, improve service resilience, strengthen security, and enable access to a wider range of digital services that people rely on in their daily lives.”
“The Government's priority is that the 2G switch-off happens safely, protecting vulnerable users and ensuring continuity for essential services and critical national infrastructure.”
“Charter signatories already cover around 95% of mobile customers, and we are actively engaging smaller MVNOs to extend coverage to the remaining users and ensure consistent protections across the market.”
“My department intends to start publishing data on the transition later this year, including information on the number of users reliant on 2G services and metrics on the use of 2G networks over time.”
“The Government' s ambition is simple: everyone, whatever their circumstances, should be able to get connected and get online, safely and with confidence.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗