The Mobile Infrastructure Forum (MIF), which represents key mobile network infrastructure providers for EE, O2, Vodafone, and Three UK, has issued a call to the U.K. government to address a legal deadlock stalling upgrades at 6,200 mobile sites across the country.
According to ISP Preview, these sites, which account for 16 percent of the U.K.’s 40,000 total and serve an estimated 15 million users, are caught in outdated legal frameworks under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (LTA 1954) and similar laws in Northern Ireland. According to MIF, these legacy rules make it unnecessarily complex and costly to carry out essential 4G and 5G upgrades.
The LTA 1954 provides security of tenure to tenants, including those with agreements for telecoms equipment. While intended to protect renters, the law can complicate access negotiations which the MIF said can lead to delays, legal entanglements, and increased costs for infrastructure improvements.
MIF, which includes infrastructure firms Cellnex UK, Cornerstone, MBNL, and WIG, is urging the government to reform the legal framework to accelerate 5G rollout and meet the growing demand for high-speed mobile connectivity.
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