Report warns UK is falling behind Europe on modernizing its mobile networks

• The UK has the second-highest energy costs and planning environments in a study of 10 countries
• Britain also ranks ninth out of 10 in terms of overall network quality
• VodafoneThree wants networks to be seen as critical national infrastructure

VodafoneThree has argued that the UK is falling behind the rest of Europe in its mobile infrastructure because of regulations, which make it hard for companies like itself to invest heavily in the right areas at the right time.

According to the report, the UK is being set back by pressers from all angles, including high energy costs for running mobile infrastructure, expensive property and site costs, planning delays, restrictive policies and even competition from mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs).

More broadly on a global scale, the UK is also falling behind countries like Singapore, South Korea, the US, Norway, Australia, Germany and Hungary.

VodafoneThree slates UK mobile network regulatory landscape

Of the 10 specific countries studied in the company's analysis, VodafoneThree revealed that the UK has the second-highest energy costs and second-most burdensome planning environment. The UK ranks ninth on the scale of 10 countries for overall network quality.

"Bringing the UK’s investment environment up to the standard of our international peers could help to support public services, eliminate digital divides and enable communities to thrive," Networks Director Andrea Dona wrote.

The report warns that the UK could fall behind peers in terms of digital public services, national resilience and economic growth if the landscape doesn't improve, which is why it's working with the UK Government "to examine the barriers holding back our mobile networks."

One of the biggest changes that could impact the landscape is a shift to recognize mobile network operators are providers of critical national infrastructure, so that they're protected against some cost fluctuations such as energy costs.

"Fast, reliable and quality mobile networks are a fundamental driver of economic growth and prosperity," Dona concluded.