Q&A with Jon Freeman, Chair of Mobile Infrastructure Forum (MIF)

In our series looking into how MIF works we talk Jon Free toman about his role as Chair of the Mobile Infrastructure Forum.

It has been three years since MIF was founded, what do you believe have been the major achievements over this time?

Reflecting on the past three years, I am proud of what we’ve accomplished and the direction we’re heading. From the outset, our mission was clear; to support the delivery of world-class mobile infrastructure and help drive better wireless connectivity for communities and businesses across the UK. We knew that building bridges with key stakeholders such as the UK Government and regulators would be essential, and this collaborative spirit has guided everything we do.

We’ve continued to nurture those relationships, ensuring MIF is recognised as a trusted, consistent voice for our industry in the most vital consultations and forums. A highlight has been the successful implementation of sections 61 to 65 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) Act, unlocking benefits for around 20% of UK mobile sites. This achievement is already making a tangible difference.

Perhaps what has pleased me most is how we’ve managed to unite the wider telecoms deployment sector, especially through our work on high-risk buildings and planning reform. It’s our collective effort, and the willingness to tackle challenges together, that sets us apart and is driving genuine progress.

As Chair, what do you see as the key trends for the passive infrastructure sector?

I see four trends emerging that are shaping the passive infrastructure sector.

Firstly, we are moving from periodic ‘waves’ of activity to a near-continuous upgrade cycle. Data demand continues to climb, but we are also seeing more explicit regulatory and delivery commitments flow through into network change programmes; for example, the commitments outlined by the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) for the merger of Vodafone and Three. This results in more volume, more frequency, and tighter timelines for access and delivery of upgrades.

Secondly, densification is becoming vital as AI-enabled applications become a more common interaction with the network meaning we should expect (i) a higher volume of connections, (ii) materially lower latency requirements, and (iii) a changing balance of upload vs. download as devices and services become more conversational and more real-time. That combination requires us to bring the network and the passive infrastructure it relies upon closer to the end users; more rooftop sites, streetworks in the right places to meet demand, and a portfolio of assets that can be upgraded swiftly.

Thirdly, the UK’s residential development pipeline is increasing the importance of planning and early engagement, treating mobile infrastructure as an essential service rather than an afterthought. Where buildings are being redeveloped, retaining existing mobile infrastructure and designing new spaces with access and power for upgrades is becoming a core consideration. With early influence, deployment is quicker, cheaper, less disruptive and, importantly, delivers the infrastructure and subsequently connectivity capability that is fit for the future.

Finally, resilience is climbing the policy agenda. Events such as the Iberian Peninsula power outage have sharpened focus on how networks behave under stress. The passive infrastructure sector is well placed to support network operators with the upgrades that follow, but it also intersects with an increasingly live discussion with policy makers; as society depends more on mobile connectivity, how do we ensure prioritised access for upgrades and rapid restoration when incidents occur?

What do you see as the immediate priorities?

My immediate priorities as Chair are clear; to remove the frictions that slow deployment and make sure the policy framework matches the pace at which the UK must upgrade and densify its networks. As a forum, our focus is on enabling efficient rollout through consistent rules that let engineers, planners, building owners, and regulators act with confidence.

Another priority is to ensure the planning enablers for telecoms are built into the government’s programme of planning reforms. Planning is a decisive lever for faster deployment and smarter densification. By continuing to advocate for planning reforms across national policy and permitted development rights, we’ll see mobile infrastructure viewed as essential, which will reduce avoidable delay and cost. Once embedded in England, these enablers should be extended into the Devolved Nations.

Achieving a robust, simple and standardised approach to building safety approval for telecoms works will establish indoor connectivity as a critical utility. Today’s process can be complex, variable and slow (particularly for higher-risk buildings). We need a consistent and proportionate approval process which is operated by a building safety regulator that is resourced to make timely decisions.

Turning to the mid-term, how do you see MIF evolving?

I expect the role of MIF to become even more important as the mobile infrastructure landscape continues to evolve.

A key theme that is likely to increase in importance is ensuring essential mobile infrastructure is protected and considered. Meaning the safeguarding of existing telecoms assets during redevelopment, while also making sure new developments are designed with the right accommodation for mobile connectivity from the outset. This is increasingly essential as connectivity becomes embedded in how communities, businesses, and public services operate every day particularly as we see the rapid expansion of AI adoption and the added dependency this places on mobile infrastructure.

At the same time, MIF should continue to make the case for an investment climate that supports the growth of mobile infrastructure. Collectively, MIF participants have invested £bn in infrastructure over the last 10 years, demonstrating long-term commitments with payback periods that typically span multiple decades. A stable regulatory framework, alongside clear policy that encourages continued investment, will therefore be essential if the UK is to maintain and expand the mobile infrastructure needed to support future economic growth and resilient connectivity.