Mobile UK, the trade association for the UK’s mobile network operators – EE/ BT, Virgin Media O2, Three and Vodafone is calling on the Government to fund the role of Digital Champions for local authorities to assist mobile deployment.

As part of this campaign, Mobile UK hosted a webinar, in partnership with the Local Government Association (LGA), on 13 July inviting representatives from local authorities across the UK to discuss key issues.

The webinar brought together representatives from 26 local authorities to hear from a panel including Heather Clark (City of Wolverhampton Council), John Gravett (Cluttons), Lesley Holt (WM5G) and Cllr Tom Cunningham (Essex County Council).  

The session opened with an address from the LGA’s Digital Champion, Councillor Mark Hawthorne. He explained that digital champions are critical to communities and highlighted how the national body was supporting them to help the rollout of mobile infrastructure and to tackle issues around digital exclusion.

John Gravett, Partner at property consultancy Cluttons, presented findings from the organisation’s own Connecting The UK report. He explained that funding is a huge barrier to UK connectivity and discussed why it is important for the UK Government to invest in and to support the critical rollout of 5G.

Mobile UK’s Director of Policy and Communications, Gareth Elliott, hosted the panel discussion on a range of subjects. These included funding constraints which explains why digital champions are not commonplace; the barriers faced in setting up these roles; and, the need for central Government investment to enable more widespread use of digital champions.

Commenting on the impact and importance of digital champions Gareth Elliott said “In order for the UK Government to achieve its target to deliver 5G to the majority of the population by 2027, Digital Champions must be fully funded to assist and help coordinate the deployment of 5G, and develop effective digital strategies.”

“We have identified the impact Digital Champions are already having in areas across the country and it was important to host this event highlighting where local authorities are taking steps towards this goal and demonstrating their success. The session also offered value to our audience through shared learnings and knowledge which can be taken on board going forward”.

The webinar event sparked debate and discourse around Digital Champions and the panel session can be viewed in here.

Mobile UK is campaigning for Digital Champions and is calling for the Government to make funds available at the next Budget this Autumn. For more information about the campaign please read the Building Mobile Britain: The Case for Local Authority Digital Champions report and visit the campaign website here.