Overview
- The government, in a Thursday update, told providers they must keep networks available under UK law and cited duties in the Telecoms Security Act and Ofcom rules.
- Major operators said this week they are modelling last‑resort steps such as throttling speeds, rationing access at busy times, or surge pricing to cut power use.
- Vodafone Three, Virgin Media O2 and BT Group were left out of the expanded British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, and they are pressing for support.
- Electricity costs have risen by about one third since the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruption, and mobile networks use roughly 1 terawatt‑hour a year, equal to about 370,000 homes.
- BT and Virgin Media O2 say they have no current plans to ration service or add surge pricing, though firms warn investment and 5G rollout could slow without relief.