Mobile Connectivity Transforming Culture and Heritage

A new Mobile UK mini-report, Transforming Culture and Heritage in the Digital Age, explores how mobile connectivity, particularly 4G and 5G, is reshaping the UK’s culture and heritage sector.

The report highlights that the sector, which contributes £34 billion annually and sustains millions of jobs, faces challenges from rising costs, digital exclusion, and changing audience expectations. Yet mobile technology is offering powerful tools for renewal, helping cultural institutions reach wider audiences, deliver immersive experiences, and make heritage more inclusive.

From augmented-reality storytelling in Sherwood Forest to 5G-enabled virtual tours at the Roman Baths and accessibility improvements in the Lake District, case studies show how better connectivity is breathing new life into treasured sites.

However, the report warns that digital exclusion could cost the UK economy up to £10 billion a year by 2030, emphasising the urgency of ensuring robust infrastructure across both urban and rural areas. Mobile UK calls for mobile infrastructure to be recognised as a strategic national priority, enabling every museum, gallery, and heritage site, no matter how remote, to benefit from strong, reliable connectivity.

“Mobile connectivity is not just a technological upgrade; it’s the foundation for a more inclusive, resilient, and future-ready heritage sector,” the report concludes.

Read the full report here