An Andy Burnham-led government has raised questions across the mobile, network and technology sectors about what a new approach to digital infrastructure could mean for the UK.
For the mobile, network and technology industry, the big question is whether this ambition will translate into needed infrastructure support.
Across the sector, there is growing recognition that digital infrastructure is no longer simply a technology issue.
Reliable connectivity, mobile networks, data centres and edge computing are becoming essential foundations for many businesses and public services across the country.
As a result, industry leaders believe a focus on spreading growth beyond London could create a major opportunity, but only if long-standing barriers around planning, regulation and investment are addressed.
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Cornerstone, Director of Regulatory and Public Affairs, Belinda Fawcett, reveals: “The success of the UK economy depends on building robust, future-proofed digital infrastructure. Digital connectivity isn’t a luxury anymore; it is the foundation of today’s society, enabling everybody to participate fully in modern life.
“Good growth in every postcode is the right ambition, but it needs to be more than a slogan; it requires high quality, reliable connectivity across the country delivering a nationwide 5G mobile service. I also believe that to rebalance the economy, the government must support distributed and edge compute capabilities outside London.
“The good news is the approach our new Prime Minister pioneered in Greater Manchester, establishing regional digital teams and building genuine public-private partnerships recognised the importance of digital infrastructure and encouraged private investment where it was needed most
“However, poor connectivity is rarely caused by a lack of investment appetite; the planning system, under resourced local authorities, and a lack of recognition of connectivity’s importance and the need to protect it are the real challenges. The government must bring forward planning reforms that unblock network deployment and digital infrastructure must be at the heart of our national and regional growth policy. This will undoubtedly unlock long-term economic prosperity for every person and every region in the UK.”
Meanwhile, the same themes are being addressed across the data centre industry, where operators are looking for greater certainty around the policies that influence long-term investment decisions.
Stellanor Data Center, Managing Director, Gary Watson, states: “While new ministerial appointments may signal a renewed focus on industrial strategy, what matters most across the digital infrastructure supply chain is confidence. Data centres are long term investments, and businesses need clarity on the policies that shape energy, planning and connectivity to make decisions about growth, hiring and investment.
“For the many businesses that support our sector, from specialist contractors and technology providers to engineering and professional services firms, uncertainty can delay projects and slow the flow of investment into the wider economy. Consistent policy signals around areas such as grid reform, planning and Critical National Infrastructure status help create the conditions for businesses to invest with confidence.”
Infrastructure beyond London
One of the challenges for the next government will be ensuring that the UK’s digital infrastructure keeps up to speed with the changing needs of the economy.
Data centres are increasingly becoming regional asserts, supporting everything from AI, healthcare, transport and even public services.
Mark Lewis of Pulsant believes a stronger regional infrastructure strategy could support the next phase of growth.
He says: “There’s no question that the UK needs a more geographically distributed digital infrastructure strategy to meet demand associated with a digital economy. Data centres are no longer just assets serving London or hyperscale cloud providers, they are becoming critical regional infrastructure that underpins AI, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, transport and public services.
“Edge data centres reduce latency, improve resilience and enable data to be processed closer to where it is created.If an Andy Burnham-led government were to prioritise regional economic growth and devolve greater powers to city regions, in line with AI Growth Zones, that could be a significant opportunity for regional infrastructure.
“The biggest challenge will remain the pace at which new infrastructure can be delivered. Regardless of who is in government, the sector needs faster planning decisions, greater certainty around grid connections. A focus on regional investment could accelerate the UK’s digital economy, provided it is matched by practical reforms that enable operators to build capacity where businesses and communities need it most.”
AI being the centre of government strategy
Alongside regional growth, one of the most one of the most significant signals from an Andy Burnham-led government would be making AI as a central government priority.
Jens Jenson, Chief Innovation Officer at Vonage, notes: ” Two areas where that delivery will matter most are digital identity and sovereignty. As AI becomes embedded in enterprise workflows, the ability to verify who, or what, is interacting with a system becomes foundational.
“Network powered identity solutions, which draw on carrier-grade intelligence to authenticate users silently and securely, are already enabling businesses to combat fraud and streamline customer experiences at scale. A government committed to AI-led growth should recognise that robust identity infrastructure is not a barrier to that ambition; it is a prerequisite for it.
“Equally, the question of sovereignty cannot be separated from the AI agenda. Burnham’s team has signalled a strategy that prioritises British ownership of critical technology assets, including data centres and AI infrastructure. For the telecoms sector, this resonates.
“Network infrastructure is inherently sovereign infrastructure, and the intelligence it carries, from real-time device signals to fraud indicators, is most powerful and most trustworthy when it is carrier-grade, domestically governed and built on open standards. A coherent approach to tech sovereignty, one that spans AI, connectivity and identity, would give the UK a genuinely differentiated position in the global digital economy.”
Mobile networks at the heart of growth
For the mobile industry, the message is that connectivity needs to be treated as a core part of economic policy.
Mobile UK CEO, Hamish MacLeod argues that mobile networks will play a crucial role in delivering growth across every region of the country.
“While policy makers focussed on highly visible capital projects like new data centres, rail links or energy grids, mobile connectivity, the ultimate enabler of innovation and nationwide productivity growth cannot continue to be overlooked,” MacLeod says.
“If the government is serious about reviving every part of the country, a sustained focus on mobile infrastructure deployment will be needed to underpin this widespread growth mission.
“Mobile networks are the invisible thread holding the country together, generating five pounds of economic value for every pound invested by operators. To deliver on his promises, the Prime Minister must seize the opportunity and prioritise mobile connectivity from day one,” he concluded.
