A new report by Mobile UK reveals that 73% of construction firms plan to roll out 5G technology within the next year, signalling a major shift in how the industry operates.
The study, Integrating Bytes and Networks into Bricks and Mortar, highlights the critical role mobile connectivity will play in helping the government achieve its target of building 1.5 million new homes by 2030. Faced with challenges like safety concerns, efficiency demands, and a growing skills gap, the construction industry is under pressure to find transformative solutions. Currently, around 59,000 non-fatal injuries are reported each year, and 21% of firms face theft on a weekly basis.
5G and other mobile technologies offer a powerful opportunity to reshape the sector’s future. In response, Mobile UK — the trade association for the UK’s four main mobile network operators — is urging the government to treat mobile infrastructure as a core element of economic growth and vital to the housing target.
Gareth Elliott, Director of Policy and Communications at Mobile UK, emphasised the urgency of the situation: “With the construction sector central to the government’s growth plans, investing in mobile infrastructure has never been more important. Among the many tough decisions needed to deliver on these ambitions, supporting mobile operators is one of the simplest. Mobile connectivity is now the backbone of modern construction, helping to improve training, bridge the skills gap, and equip future workers with the tools they need to drive real change. Government must prioritise mobile infrastructure to speed up deployment and fuel national growth.”
