London could be losing out on £7.4m each day in lost economic output as a result of planning rules which force network infrastructure to be taken offline without a replacement, leaving tens of thousands of people without reliable access to mobile connectivity across the capital, according to research from VodafoneThree.
Drawing on the findings in its Lost sites, lost signal: the impact of notices to quit on Londoners report, the operator reveals that tens of thousands of Londoners could be living in “functional not spots” – areas without reliable access to mobile data – as a result of planning measures called notices to quit (NTQ), legal notices issued by landowners requiring the removal of mobile infrastructure when a building is renovated, redeveloped or demolished.
VodafoneThree stressed that replacing a site following an NTQ could take around five years on average, largely due to what it regarded as “outdated” planning processes and the complexity of securing a new site and relevant permissions. As a result, there could be lengthy periods of reduced or lost signal for local communities.
VodafoneThree alone expects to be forced to take nearly 100 sites offline by the end of 2026, underscoring the need for planning reform to ensure connectivity is protected when a building is renovated, redeveloped or demolished. While operators typically receive 18 months’ notice, replacing a site often takes far longer, creating a significant risk of coverage loss.
The report also highlighted the scale of the issue for mobile network operators across the capital. It calculated that despite growing reliance on connectivity, around one in five of London’s high streets have a functional not-spot, while approximately 60 rail, Underground or Overground stations are estimated to be affected by an NTQ at any one time, including three of London’s five busiest National Rail stations.
To help prevent this, VodafoneThree called on developers and planning authorities to engage mobile operators at the earliest stages of the planning process, including pre-application stage, and work proactively with operators to identify replacement sites in order to maintain connectivity throughout redevelopment projects.
It added that at a national level, legislation should extend the permitted duration of temporary mobile sites to 36 months to help protect connectivity while permanent replacements are delivered.
Despite its concerns, VodafoneThree said the good news is that the problem was fixable and that it welcomed the growing recognition of NTQs as an issue, supporting efforts to ensure connectivity is considered from the earliest stages of a planning process. VodafoneThree chief networks officer Andrea Dona was confident that, with earlier notice and a more joined-up approach across the entire planning system, London could continue to grow and redevelop while ensuring people stay connected.
“London’s strength has always rested on its ability to connect people: to jobs, ideas, markets, culture, transport and each other. In the 21st century, that connectivity is digital as well as physical,” he said.
“Mobile networks are critical national infrastructure. When that infrastructure is removed before replacements are in place, local communities can face years of reduced connectivity which ultimately costs London billions in economic output. This is not an investment challenge. We’re investing heavily in improving connectivity, but outdated planning processes mean sites can be forced offline far more quickly than they can be replaced.”
