As a part of Telford’s MP work to improve 5G mobile coverage in Telford and wider Shropshire, Shaun led an adjournment debate in Parliament on Wednesday on the topic of poor 5G connectivity in Telford and the West Midlands.
In the debate, which entitles the leading MP to a 15-minute speech and a response from a Government Minister, Shaun gave the testimonies of a number of constituents who have shared their experiences, as well as the results of a survey he is currently conducting among his constituents.
Shaun told the Minister that almost 100% of respondents said they struggled to get 5G either at home or at work, and many said the town centre was a problem area; and that many constituents said they often struggled to get 4G or even phone signal in addition to 5G.
He also paid tribute to Telford & Wrekin Council, the River Severn Partnership and the Local Government Association, all of whom have conducted research into the issue both locally and nationally. In particular, he highlighted the River Severn Partnership’s finding that in Telford constituency, 28% of roads don’t have adequate phone coverage; according to Ofcom’s official data, there are no such roads in Telford.
He called on the Government and Ofcom, firstly, to improve the reporting of 5G coverage and acknowledge the scale of the problem; and on the Government and providers, secondly, to improve Telford’s 5G infrastructure urgently. He confirmed that he had previously met with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and would soon be meeting with Ofcom and various mobile providers.
Responding to Shaun’s speech, Kanishka Narayan MP, a Minister at the Department, said: “In his entire tenure [Shaun] has been a relentless champion for the people of Telford. On the question of 5G and mobile coverage, he has listened closely to those he represents, he has represented that voice in the media, he has represented that to the Minister for the Digital Economy, and in tonight’s debate he has done that again, with both an impressive speech and a depth of understanding of Telford.”
Commenting after the debate, Shaun said: “Residents and businesses across Telford continue to tell me that mobile connectivity in our town simply isn’t good enough. Reliable, high-quality coverage isn’t just about staying in touch it’s essential for Telford’s economic growth and competitiveness, and for accessing vital public services. I share these frustrations, and I do not want Telford to be held back by poor coverage and slow speeds. I will continue to raise the issue of Telford’s shockingly poor 5G coverage until residents see real change. While Ofcom has suggested there is no problem to address, my own experience, and that of my constituents, tells a very different story.
“I’m pleased that the Government has committed to working with me constructively to properly identify the problem and, crucially, fix it.”
Shaun is currently running on a survey on the issue where residents can record where they have struggle finding 5G connections in Telford. This can be found here: Let’s get Telford Connected to 5G – Fill in form
