The Chief Executive of Vodafone, Margherita Della Valle, has expressed concerns regarding the United Kingdom’s ambitions to become a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI), citing the inadequacy of the country’s mobile data networks as a potential threat. Della Valle has highlighted the potential impact of this shortfall on the UK’s ability to effectively implement and leverage AI technology, positioning the country at a disadvantage in comparison to other nations.
To substantiate her concerns, Della Valle referenced data from OpenSignal, a network analytics company, to emphasize that the UK’s cellular networks are lacking in 5G connectivity. She further stressed that the absence of high-speed, low latency connectivity can impose limitations on AI use cases across the entire network or in specific locations.
In response to these challenges, Della Valle has stressed the necessity for a “standalone” 5G network architecture to address the shortcomings, noting the advantages such as increased data capacity, faster speeds, and shorter delays. However, she also highlighted the expected delay in the full implementation of standalone 5G in the UK, potentially hindering the country’s progress in AI adoption and application.
Furthermore, Della Valle underscored the growing demand for network capacity as AI capabilities become more prevalent in consumer devices and find applications in various sectors. She emphasized that the requirements for computing capacity, energy, and networks to enable businesses and society to fully leverage the potential of AI are essential.
These concerns raised by Della Valle align with previous warnings from analysts regarding the anticipated surge in data traffic on wireless networks due to increased AI adoption, prompting the need for network upgrades to accommodate this growth.
In light of these challenges, Vodafone’s proposed merger with Three has come under scrutiny from the competition watchdog. Della Valle has defended the merger, asserting that the scale provided by the partnership is essential for the sizable investment required to enhance the UK’s digital infrastructure. Vodafone has committed to investing £11 billion over the next decade, contingent on the merger’s approval.
Looking ahead, Della Valle stressed the importance of promptly addressing the impact of AI on the UK’s digital infrastructure, cautioning that closing the existing gaps will require time and strategic planning. In a similar vein, the boss of National Grid has also voiced concerns about the potential strain on the energy network’s capacity due to the proliferation of AI, projecting a sixfold surge in data centre power usage over the next decade.
Ultimately, the warnings from Vodafone’s CEO and other industry experts highlight the pressing need to address the challenges posed by substandard mobile networks to support the UK’s AI ambitions and ensure the country’s competitiveness in the global AI landscape. Effectively addressing these issues will be vital in realizing the full potential of AI in driving innovation and economic growth.