Written questions by Wrigley.

Innovation and Technology, if he will have discussions with Ofcom on ensuring the reporting of statistics on where the full allocation of 5G is not being used.

Ofcom is responsible for the management of spectrum in the UK. Ofcom monitors mobile coverage, including 5G, at a regional level and publishes a mobile coverage checker, Map your Mobile. Ofcom’s latest Connected Nations report (published 19 November 2025) shows over 12,000 UK sites now provide standalone 5G. Ofcom does not report spectrum allocation by individual sites, as regional data provides a clearer picture of the overall service available for consumers.The government works closely with Ofcom to ensure spectrum is used effectively and to maintain accurate coverage reporting to support policy, investment, and informed consumer choice.

Innovation and Technology, if she will take steps with Ofcom to ensure that all full 5G eligible sites offer full 5G.

For the purpose of this answer, ‘full 5G’ has been interpreted as meaning standalone 5G.Our ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. How network operators achieve this through both existing and new infrastructure is a commercial decision, balancing the needs of different user groups and services, with the availability of spectrum and infrastructure. All three mobile operators have committed significant investment and are aligning plans with this ambition.Ofcom’s Connected Nations Report, published on 19 November 2025, states that more than 12,000 sites across the UK are now supporting standalone 5G connectivity.Ofcom will continue to report on standalone 5G coverage across the UK. The department is also working closely with operators to identify, and remove, barriers to deployment where it is practical to do so.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the answer received on 21 November 2025 to Written Question 90488, how much additional re-investment her Department anticipates after bringing into force sections 61-64 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022.

The government’s ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. Operators have set out investment plans that align with our ambition, and we are committed to ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory framework in place to support investment and competition in the market.The aim of the 2017 reforms was to encourage investment in digital networks and improve coverage and connectivity across the UK. The changes introduced by the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 ensure greater consistency throughout the UK and reduce confusion and uncertainty when agreements come to an end and are being renewed.While the Department does not monitor levels of reinvestment in networks, Ofcom’s Connected Nations report provides an estimate for the level of investment into mobile networks by industry. Ofcom’s latest report estimates that in 2024, mobile network investment accounted for £1.8bn.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to his Department's document entitled A new electronic communications code, published in May 2015, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of changes to the level of rents for telecoms landlords since 2017 on levels of network coverage.

The document entitled ‘A New Electronic Communications Code’ was a report published by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport under the 2015 to 2016 Cameron Conservative government. The report detailed Government proposals to overhaul the Code, following extensive consultation and wider engagement with stakeholders.Subsequently, the Electronic Communications Code was reformed initially by the Digital Economy Act 2017, and then by Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022. Government has no plans to conduct a formal review of the 2017 reforms before commencing the remaining sections of the 2022 Act.Based on Ofcom reporting, 4G geographic coverage from at least one operator has increased from 78% in 2017 to 96% in July 2025. Ofcom also reports that 5G geographic coverage from at least one operator has reached 65% in July 2025 from the start of its rollout in 2019.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to report entitled A New Electronic Communications Code, published in May 2016, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the objectives included in that report.

The document entitled ‘A New Electronic Communications Code’ was a report published by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport under the 2015 to 2016 Cameron Conservative government. The report detailed Government proposals to overhaul the Code, following extensive consultation and wider engagement with stakeholders.Subsequently, the Electronic Communications Code was reformed initially by the Digital Economy Act 2017, and then by Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022. Government has no plans to conduct a formal review of the 2017 reforms before commencing the remaining sections of the 2022 Act.Based on Ofcom reporting, 4G geographic coverage from at least one operator has increased from 78% in 2017 to 96% in July 2025. Ofcom also reports that 5G geographic coverage from at least one operator has reached 65% in July 2025 from the start of its rollout in 2019.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to increase the number of women entering IT specialist fields.

The Government wants to unlock the full potential of the tech sector, and increasing women’s participation in IT is essential to achieving this. That’s why on Monday 15th December, we launched a Women in Tech Taskforce to identify and address the barriers that prevent women from entering and leading into tech careers.The group is comprised of 14 prominent and diverse experts and industry leaders spanning technology, investment, entrepreneurship, and policy including BT’s first female chairman Allison Kirkby and Stemettes founder Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon. The taskforce will identify where interventions can have the biggest impact on increasing women’s participation in the sector and will develop practical recommendations for government.In addition, programmes like the £187million TechFirst programme are helping build a more robust pipeline by providing training in AI and digital skills to support them into careers including cyber security, AI, quantum computing, software, data and more. Specific consideration is given to increasing participation among women and underrepresented groups.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the consultation on the Draft regulations to commence Sections 61 to 64 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, which closed on 7 May 2025, whether her Department plans to issue guidance to telecommunication landlords on tackling costs from backdated interim rent.

Subject to considering the consultation responses, we intend to finalise the draft regulations relating to the renewals provisions, contained in Sections 61-64 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 ( the “Renewal Provisions”) by the end of the year. We intend to publish the Government’s response to the consultation within the same timeframe.The consultation has specifically addressed the backdating issue, and asked respondents to make representations in relation to this. The intention behind the draft regulations consulted on was to ensure that while landowners may still be required to pay back rents for other reasons, they would not be required to pay back rents received as direct consequence of the Renewal Provisions for any periods up to the date on which the Renewal Provisions come into force.The final regulations, when made, will be accompanied by an explanatory note.

Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring tower companies to (a) improve coverage and (b) re-invest in new sites.

Tower companies play a key role in the market; they deliver the physical infrastructure that hosts telecommunications equipment. This allows mobile network operators to provide communities and businesses across the UK with the mobile coverage they need and expect. Outside of government funded programmes, investment into new telecommunications infrastructure is a commercial decision, but we want to ensure that any investment translates into real world impacts for consumers and businesses. This is why we are working with the industry to ensure that we have the right policy and regulatory framework in facilitate this, including removing barriers to deployment where they exist and it is practical to do so.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Draft regulations to commence Sections 61 to 64 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, published on 7 May 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the no network assumption on the number of landowners willing to rent land for telecommunication purposes.

No specific assessment of the impact of ‘no network’ valuation on landowners’ willingness to rent land for telecommunications purposes has been carried out. Under the Electronic Communications Code (“ECC”), in addition to rent payments, landowners may also receive compensation for any loss or damage from the operator’s use of Code rights.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Electronic Communication Code 2017 on 5G rollout.

The aim of the 2017 reforms was to encourage investment in digital networks and improve coverage and connectivity across the UK. Our ambition is that all populated areas will have higher-quality standalone 5G by 2030. We are committed to removing barriers to the digital infrastructure, including reviewing where planning rules could be relaxed to support the deployment of 5G. Analysis from the EU Commission showed 5G households' coverage in the UK at the end of 2024 (95%) was on par with India, China and ahead of France (94%) and the EU (94.3%), but behind South Korea (100%), Japan (99.2%), Norway, Iceland and Germany (all 99%) as well as USA (97.0%). Since this assessment, UK 5G coverage outside premises has increased to 96%.

Innovation and Technology, whether her Department holds information on the average rental income for telecommunication providers (a) before and (b) after the Electronic Communications Code 2017 was implemented.

In the impact assessment produced in 2016 to accompany the 2017 reforms, it was anticipated that there would be a reduction in rents from operators to landowners but that it would be difficult to precisely predict the effect of the reforms on rental payments. The impact assessment referenced independent analysis conducted by the specialist telecommunications consultancy Nordicity, commissioned by DCMS, which estimated a potential 40% decrease in rents. During the passage of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, it was suggested by Speed up Britain, an industry group, that the average rent reduction was 63%. Given the commercial – and often sensitive – nature of most Code agreements, meaningful data on rents would be difficult to collect and assess. Government has no plans to conduct a formal review of the 2017 reforms to the Electronic Communications Code before commencing the remaining sections of the 2022 Act.

Innovation and Technology, if she will take steps to increase competition in the telecoms tower market.

The government is committed to a competitive mobile market where consumers and business have access to high-quality, secure and affordable connectivity. We will publish a Mobile Market Review call for evidence in the coming months to help better understand how technological, structural and financial changes could impact the industry’s ability to invest in widespread high-quality connectivity, this includes impacts on the mobile tower market. The CMA and Ofcom have the duty to promote competition and protect consumers within telecoms markets. Where they identify anti-competitive behaviour, they have powers to investigate and implement measures to promote competition. Government works with these regulators where appropriate.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with the Competition and Markets Authority on the potential impact of the merger of Vodafone and Three on the rollout of 5G.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is an independent regulator and Government has no role in merger and remedies decisions on a competition basis. The Secretary of State has not discussed the potential impacts of the merger of Vodafone and Three on the rollout of 5G with them.However, the Secretary of State welcomes Vodafone UK and Three UK’s binding £11 billion investment commitment to upgrade the UK’s mobile networks to higher quality standalone 5G.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Draft regulations to commence Sections 61 to 64 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, published on 7 May 2025, what recent discussions he has had with (a) telecommunication landlords and (b) prospective telecommunications landlords on the Electronic Communications Code 2017.

The technical consultation on draft regulations to commence Sections 61 – 64 of the Act, dealing with certain Renewal agreements closed on 2 July 2025. The department received submissions from a range of stakeholders in response to the consultation, including landowners, Wireless Infrastructure Providers and Mobile Network Operators. Officials have kept these stakeholders updated on progress to implement outstanding provisions of the PSTI Act, including sections 61 – 64. This has been done through group sessions, which site providers, operators and infrastructure providers have all been invited to attend. Officials have also shared these updates and listened to feedback as part of their routine engagement with stakeholders. This engagement has included regular and ad hoc meetings with specific organisations and representative groups.

Innovation and Technology, when he plans to publish the findings of the consultation on the Draft regulations to commence Sections 61 to 64 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, which closed on 7 May 2025.

Subject to considering the consultation responses, we intend to finalise the draft regulations relating to the renewals provisions, contained in Sections 61-64 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 ( the “Renewal Provisions”) by the end of the year. We intend to publish the Government’s response to the consultation within the same timeframe.The consultation has specifically addressed the backdating issue, and asked respondents to make representations in relation to this. The intention behind the draft regulations consulted on was to ensure that while landowners may still be required to pay back rents for other reasons, they would not be required to pay back rents received as direct consequence of the Renewal Provisions for any periods up to the date on which the Renewal Provisions come into force.The final regulations, when made, will be accompanied by an explanatory note.

Innovation and Technology, what information her Department holds on the number of telecommunication landlords that have ceased to host infrastructure since the Electronic Communications Code 2017 was implemented.

The Department has not undertaken comprehensive monitoring of the number of active Code agreements following the 2017 reforms. However, based on Ofcom reporting, 4G geographic coverage from at least one operator has increased from 78% in 2017 to 96% in July 2025. Ofcom also reports that 5G geographic coverage from at least one operator has reached 65% in July 2025 from the start of its rollout in 2019.Landowners can terminate agreements governed by the Electronic Communications Code for a number of reasons, including if they intend to redevelop the land. Any data on the number of terminated agreements alone would therefore not be indicative of the effectiveness of the 2017 reforms.Government has no plans to conduct a formal review of the 2017 reforms to the Electronic Communications Code before commencing the remaining sections of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022.

Innovation and Technology, how much paid civil service time did it take to create The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Security Requirements for Relevant Connectable Products) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025.

The UK is the most targeted country in Europe for cyber-attacks and with most connected products used here manufactured abroad, so developing these Regulations required collaboration with international partners to reduce complexity for manufacturers and consumers.The process of developing any legislation is inherently complex and time-consuming, involving extensive consultation, drafting, and scrutiny. Development of the draft Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Security Requirements for Relevant Connectable Products) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 was no different and involved a collaborative effort between DSIT policy officials and legal experts, as well as discussing the appropriate terminology used in the draft Regulations with our counterparts in Japan and Singapore.We do not have figures for the exact amount of civil service time involved but can confirm that developing this Statutory Instrument was part of the work of the Cyber Security & Digital Identity Directorate within DSIT.We have worked closely with global partners to develop the internationally recognised European Standard for Cyber Security in Consumer Internet of Things devices ETSI EN 303 645. This standard is the foundation for nearly every major consumer product security regime worldwide and we are engaging with international partners to encourage its uptake in their connected devices regimes.

Innovation and Technology, what team in her Department produced the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Security Requirements for Relevant Connectable Products) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025.

The Cyber Security & Digital Identity Directorate within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) are the policy owners of the overall PSTI regime and led the development of the draft Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Security Requirements for Relevant Connectable Products) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to her Department's joint press release entitled Creative and AI sectors kick-off next steps in finding solutions to AI and copyright, published 16 July 2025, whether she will (a) publish the terms of reference for the expert working groups on AI and copyright and (b) set out (i) the expected number of meetings for each group and (ii) how she plans to update Rt hon. and hon. Members on the groups' outputs; and what consideration she made of the balance between UK based and non-UK based organisations in determining the membership of the groups.

We are establishing technical working groups to inform our approach to copyright and AI. They will be designed to bring together a range of experts and stakeholders across key issues, including transparency and technical standards. The terms of reference will be published in due course. This will set out the meeting structure for the technical working groups.We will publish a progress update before the end of the year, which will be informed by findings from the technical working groups.

Innovation and Technology, what plans she has to ensure that the Government’s expert working groups on AI and copyright help increase levels of transparency that copyright holders have over the use of their copyrighted material as inputs for (a) training and (b) improving the performance of AI models.

We are establishing technical working groups to inform our approach to copyright and AI. They will be designed to bring together both British and global companies, alongside voices beyond the AI and creative sectors. A range of issues will be discussed, including transparency in the development and deployment of AI in the UK. The terms of reference will be published in due course.