West Sussex recognised for helping improve connectivity across the county

West Sussex County Council has been recognised with a national industry award for its work to make it easier for telecommunications suppliers to invest in improving mobile service coverage across the county.

Whether it's making a phone call, accessing online services, working remotely or staying connected with family and friends, reliable mobile coverage has become an essential part of everyday life.

But delivering better mobile connectivity isn't always straightforward. Installing new telecommunications infrastructure can be costly and complex, particularly in areas where commercial investment is harder to justify.

The council's Digital Infrastructure Team won the Barrier Removal Award: Enabling Digital Infrastructure Investment at the Connected Britain Awards 2026 for its OpenAccess initiative, part of the wider OpenDigital programme.

OpenAccess helps mobile network operators access suitable council-owned sites to site their infrastructure more easily while supporting new approaches to shared infrastructure. By making it quicker, simpler and more affordable for operators to improve their networks, the initiative is helping attract investment and improve mobile coverage for residents, businesses and visitors.

Judges praised the initiative's innovative and commercially focused approach, describing it as a model that other local authorities could learn from.

They also highlighted pioneering work in Worthing and Chichester, where West Sussex is trialling new models of shared, purpose-built telecommunications infrastructure. Alongside improving connectivity, the approach could reduce unnecessary street clutter by enabling providers to share equipment rather than install separate infrastructure.

Councillor Yvonne Gravely, Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said: "When people think about mobile coverage, they often think about their signal dropping out, struggling to make a call or not being able to access information when they need it. What many don't see is the work that takes place behind the scenes to make those services possible."

"We're proud that West Sussex has been recognised for taking a practical and innovative approach to improving connectivity across the county. By working closely with industry, we're making it easier for investment to happen and helping ensure communities can benefit from the reliable connections they increasingly depend on every day."

The award highlights West Sussex's role in helping shape new ways to deliver mobile infrastructure, bringing investment into local communities and supporting future economic growth.

For more information about OpenDigital, visit: www.westsussex.gov.uk/business-and-consumers/opendigital/