Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK's 5G rollout has been criticized for being too slow, ranking 22nd out of 25 European countries in terms of download speeds and availability.
What comparative assessment has the government made of the effectiveness of the roll-out of 5G in (a) the UK and (b) other countries?
Unfortunately, the UK's roll-out of 5G has been far too slow. According to Opensignal, the UK ranks 22nd out of 25 European countries for 5G download speeds and availability after 14 years of Conservative rule. We are determined to change that, aiming to have higher-quality stand-alone 5G in all populated areas by 2030.
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Assessment & feedback
The question was about a comparative assessment, but the answer only partially addressed UK's situation without providing international comparisons or specific data from other countries.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
According to Ofcom, a third of households in Aldershot cannot connect to 5G, which is nearly three times the national average.
Access to 5G data is a real issue in Aldershot. According to Ofcom, a third of our households cannot connect to 5G—nearly three times the national average. What are the Government doing to give residents in Aldershot and Farnborough the same data access as the rest of the country, and will the Minister make that work a priority?
My hon. Friend is right: that work has to be a priority for businesses, families and everybody engaged in her constituency, and for the public sector. We want the Ministry of Defence in her constituency, for instance, to have the highest-quality data access possible, so that we can deliver more effective and productive government across the whole United Kingdom.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer acknowledges the issue but does not provide specific actions or commitments to address 5G access issues in Aldershot and Farnborough.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Despite improvements, there remain total mobile notspots such as Porthgain and evidence that the connectivity reported by Ofcom does not match the lived experience of people.
There have been great improvements in connectivity across Ceredigion Preseli, but there remain total mobile notspots such as Porthgain, and a growing body of evidence collected locally that the connectivity reported by Ofcom does not quite stack up against the lived experience of those on the ground. Will the Minister meet me so that I can present some of the evidence collected by local authorities in Ceredigion Preseli and he can address the problem?
The hon. Gentleman has just said what I said a few minutes ago. It is great that Plaid Cymru is signing up to the Labour party's agenda these days, but it is upsetting that he forgot to mention the seven high-quality masts extending better coverage of 4G in Wales that have been installed in the last couple of months alone.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer diverts from discussing connectivity issues and focuses on a political comment about Plaid Cymru's agenda.
Political Commentary
Response accuracy