Mobile Market Review: what is it and what’s next for UK connectivity
The government’s Mobile Market Review (MMR), launched at techUK’s Future Telecoms Conference in early February 2026, marks an important moment for the future of the UK mobile sector. This call for evidence, together with other consultations and government strategies, shows a recognition that close engagement with industry is essential in shaping the next phase of UK connectivity policy, and the enabling role that it has for the wider economy.
The review arrives at a time when the UK can point to strong progress on coverage and competition, but where the investment and delivery environment is becoming more complex. Government has been clear that achieving nationwide standalone 5G by 2030 will require sustained private capital alongside a policy framework that keeps pace with rapid technological and market change.
Sustaining investment in the market for the future
The central questions behind the MMR is no longer simply whether networks can be deployed, but whether the UK’s mobile market model remains optimised for the next decade. Ministers have acknowledged that the sector faces a “challenging investment environment” amid rising costs and wider economic pressures, even as demand for advanced connectivity continues to grow.
This reflects a broader shift in policy thinking both within the UK but elsewhere around the world. As we move from early 5G rollout toward standalone networks, densification and software-defined architectures, the capital intensity and operational complexity of mobile infrastructure is increasing. The government is therefore seeking evidence on which policy levers could unlock further investment while maintaining strong consumer outcomes and competition (an area UK customers benefit from already compared to other markets).
Aligning with recent government strategies
Importantly, the MMR should be viewed in the context of the UK’s wider infrastructure and industrial strategy ambitions. The government has already signalled through its 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy that digital connectivity must be embedded across transport, energy and water systems from the outset, with work underway to assess telecoms needs across these sectors.
This reflects an increasing mindset, one welcomed fully by techUK, where advanced connectivity is treated not as a standalone sector, but as a foundational enabler of economic growth, productivity and national resilience. The review therefore sits squarely within the government’s broader growth mission and its focus on modernising the UK’s critical infrastructure base.
For industry, this is a significant framing shift. It opens the door to a more strategic conversation about how mobile networks support cross-economy outcomes, from AI-driven services to digitally enabled infrastructure systems.
A more interconnected mobile ecosystem
The call for evidence also recognises that the structure of the mobile market is evolving. Networks are becoming increasingly cloud-native and software-driven, new players are entering the value chain, and expectations around security and resilience continue to rise.
At the same time, government is exploring demand-side levers, including clustering public sector demand and the use of the state as an anchor tenant for innovative 5G services, to help stimulate commercial returns on advanced networks.
Taken together, this points to a more active and system-level policy approach than in previous telecoms reviews.
techUK’s view
The decision to launch the MMR at the Future Telecoms Conference was a clear signal that government sees industry partnership as central to delivery. The UK enters this next phase from a position of relative strength, but the policy challenge is shifting from enabling initial rollout to ensuring long-term investment sustainability and ecosystem evolution at a time when MNOs and other operators require it.
As government develops its evidence base, it will be important that the review remains closely aligned with the UK’s wider infrastructure strategy and industrial growth priorities. Advanced connectivity is increasingly the connective tissue between sectors, and policy frameworks must reflect this system-wide role.
The call for evidence runs until 21 April 2026, with conclusions expected later in the year. techUK will continue to work with members and policymakers to ensure the review supports a pro-investment environment capable of delivering world-class mobile connectivity through the 2030 horizon.
If you are interested in hearing more about techUK’s response to the MMR, and our work with DSIT on industry engagement for the review, please contact [email protected].
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Meet the team
Tales Gaspar
Programme Manager, UK SPF and Satellite, techUK
Tales has a background in law and economics, with previous experience in the regulation of new technologies and infrastructure.
In the UK and Europe, he offered consultancy on intellectual property rights of cellular and IoT technologies and on the regulatory procedures at the ITU as a Global Fellow at the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI).
Tales has an LL.M in Law and Business by the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) and an MSc in Regulation at the London School of Economics, with a specialization in Government and Law.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- +44 (0) 0207 331 2000
- Website:
- www.techUK.org
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/talesngaspar
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Sophie Greaves
Associate Director, Digital Infrastructure, techUK
Sophie Greaves is Associate Director for Digital Infrastructure at techUK, overseeing the Telecoms Programme, the Data Centres Programme, and the UK Spectrum Policy Forum.
Sophie leads our work across telecoms networks, security and resilience, supply chain diversification, advanced communications technologies, spectrum policy, and data centres - bringing these areas together into a dedicated Digital Infrastructure unit. She was previously Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy.
Prior to joining techUK, Sophie completed a masters in Film Studies at University College London; her dissertation examined US telecoms policy relating to net neutrality and content distribution.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 0207 331 2038
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiegreaves/,https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiegreaves/
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Josh Turpin
Programme Manager, Telecoms and Net Zero, techUK
Josh joined techUK as a Programme Manager for Telecoms and Net Zero in August 2024.
In this role, working jointly across the techUK Telecoms and Climate Programmes, Josh is responsible for leading on telecoms infrastructure deployment and uptake and supporting innovation opportunities, as well as looking at how the tech sector can be further utilised in the UK’s decarbonisation efforts.
Prior to joining techUK, Josh’s background was in public affairs and communications, working for organisations across a diverse portfolio of sectors including defence, telecoms and infrastructure; aiding clients through stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, media outreach as well as secretariat duties.
Outside of work, Josh has a keen interest in music, painting and sailing.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2038
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-turpin/
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