Broadband and the road to 5G - Which? response

Summary:

1. Digital infrastructure which delivers good quality connectivity is essential for consumers, particularly as people's lives are becoming more and more reliant on being connected to perform everyday tasks such as banking, shopping and streaming.
2. This need for connectivity has been further highlighted by the current coronavirus pandemic. Millions of people are reliant on their broadband and mobile connections to work remotely and stay in touch with family and friends. Which? believes that all consumers should be able to access the benefits that 5G and gigabit-capable broadband will bring.
3. Which? supports the Government’s ambition for nationwide gigabit-capable broadband by 2025. To support this ambition, it will be critical to ensure that there is consumer demand for these connections. A research that Which? undertook in 2019 found that consumers tended to feel that their current connection was fine, even in light of problems with their connection. This belief led some consumers to not perceive a need to move to a higher quality service. It will be important to address beliefs such as these to ensure that consumers benefit from gigabit connectivity.
4. Ensuring demand for gigabit connections will be critical to their success. A Connectivity Taskforce, composed of representatives from consumer and business groups, should be established to advise on a strategic, evidence based approach to stimulate demand for gigabit-capable broadband connections. We believe that the lessons learnt from the rollout of 4G mobile coverage and superfast broadband in the UK will be important for the rollout of new technologies. It will be essential to recognise the key issues, for example the slow take up of superfast broadband and the lack of 4G mobile coverage in hard to reach areas, and adapt future rollouts accordingly.