Think American carriers are rough? The UK’s 5G future might be on the verge of imploding – and the reason goes far beyond poor coverage.
While in the US, telecoms and regulators often work to push 5G expansion forward, the UK’s rollout is facing a crisis that some believe borders on self-sabotage.
New research reveals that Britain’s ambitious plans to grow its mobile network are in serious jeopardy. A nationwide survey of over 500 landowners – the very people who host masts and antennas – shows alarming discontent. Drastic rent cuts and mounting legal pressure are pushing many to consider removing network equipment from their properties entirely.
These site providers aren’t just big corporations; they’re farmers, schools, charities, councils, churches, and even NHS trusts. Their land and buildings host vital infrastructure for mobile signals. But since a 2017 change to the Electronic Communications Code (ECC), the game has changed. Landlords once negotiated rents based on market value; now, they’re offered payments pegged to the land’s basic use value – a model akin to compulsory purchase pricing.
The outcome? Income plummeted. Over 80% of respondents reported rent drops exceeding 80–90%, while 34% now face added costs to host the gear. For smaller organisations, the financial hit is devastating.
Making matters worse, 68% of landowners with expired leases said they had received legal threats or intense pressure from telecom companies to accept even lower rents or worse terms. More than 1,000 legal disputes have erupted, and the government’s plan to extend the ECC’s reach to 15,000 more sites has only deepened the unrest.
This isn’t just a business dispute – it’s a looming infrastructure problem. 5G networks need far more masts placed closer together than previous generations. Yet only 23% of surveyed site providers said they were very likely to renew agreements. Without these sites, rural and urban areas alike could face a surge in mobile blackspots.
The warning signs are clear: with the UK already ranking 24th out of 30 Northern European countries for 5G availability (just 45% coverage, according to Ookla), the nation risks falling even further behind – unless something changes fast.