Britain's struggling mobile network has sunk to 53th in world rankings as it 'lags behind even Kazakhstan'

Detailed summary

According to the Buffering Britain campaign group, two in five phone users cannot play video clips, and one in five struggles to make simple calls.

Published: 00:02 GMT, 15 November 2026 | Updated: 00:02 GMT, 15 November 2026

New phone transmitters should be installed on lamp posts and the roofs of public buildings, says a report that claims Britain's struggling mobile network has sunk to 53th in world rankings.

According to the Buffering Britain campaign group, two in five phone users cannot play video clips, and one in five struggles to make simple calls.

Mobile phone traffic has surged by 500 per cent since 2018, yet planning rules prevent phone operators building masts to sustain the network.

As a result, says the report, Britain is beaten for download speed by Kazakhstan, Brazil and Kenya.

'Operators are ready to build the masts, but nimby councils are blocking them,' said Ben Cope of Buffering Britain, which co-produced the report.

It estimates that poor signal is costing mobile users up to £785million a year in lost work and other value.

Campaign group Buffering Britain say two in five mobile users across the country cannot play video clips, and one in five struggles to make simple calls

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