- Visitors spend less or avoid sites when coverage is poor, costing around US$1.9bn a year.
- Connectivity gaps persist despite Shared Rural Network targets and 5G rollouts.
What happened: Report links patchy coverage to lost tourist spend
A new industry report suggests the UK tourism sector is losing about US$1.9bn each year due to poor mobile connectivity. Visitors cut trips short or avoid destinations when they cannot stay connected, reducing takings for local hotels, restaurants, and attractions.
Ofcom’s latest Connected Nations update shows that large “not-spots” are still common in parts of Wales, rural Scotland and the South West of England. The government’s Shared Rural Network scheme, meant to deliver 95% 4G coverage by 2027, has already slipped on interim targets and suffered delays.
Also read: Ofcom shortens complaint window, telcos voice objections
Also read: Ofcom unveils mobile signal coverage checker ‘Map Your Mobile’
Why it’s important
Connectivity is no longer optional for travellers. Tourists expect to upload content, book tickets, and navigate in real time. Without reliable mobile service, especially in rural areas, local economies risk losing valuable visitor spending at a moment when regions seek growth beyond London and attempt to attract overseas visitors.
Yet the US$1.9bn figure deserves caution. Estimating economic loss tied directly to weak signal is imprecise, and better coverage may not automatically deliver proportional gains. Unless operators target upgrades at tourist-heavy sites, rather than population centres alone, the benefits for small businesses and local communities could remain limited, leaving some regions disappointed by slower-than-promised improvements.
