Kerr demands broadband upgrade
Stirling MP Stephen Kerr has made a fresh move to improve broadband coverage.
He is one of a number of MPs who signed a letter to Secretary of State for Digital Affairs Matt Hancock, calling for government action to improve the speed of 4G in rural areas.
The letter calls on ministers to ensure rural consumers have a choice of providers offering a quality service that is also reliable.
MPs also said there must be a significant change in the rules on transparency.
They claim mobile operators hide behind‘commercial confidentiality’ while refusing to tell communities where and when they plan to roll out coverage.
The UK Government has said it will deliver mobile coverage to 95 per cent of the landmass of the UK by the end of 2022.
Mr Kerr said:“Across rural Stirling there are still large areas of poor or no coverage. I welcomed the recent announcements regarding a number of masts in some areas but this is a time to build on that momentum to ensure everyone can benefit.
“There must also be much better communication with our communities as to planned developments in their area, something I would have thought companies would be keen to do anyway.”
Last month EE, part of BT , announced it had built eight new 4G sites and upgraded 15 others which offered 2G and 3G signals.
The company said the work would provide new 4G coverage to communities that include Balquhidder, Kilmahog, Lochearnhead and the Carron Valley and improve coverage along many A and B roads.
The eight new sites are: B818 north of Carron Valley Reservoir; A84 south of Loch Lubnaig; A84 east of Balquidder; and sites along the A85 around the north-eastern corner of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
Locations where equipment has been upgraded to 4G include Dunblane, Callander, Crianlarich, Killin, Stirling, Aberfoyle, Bridge of Allan, Tyndrum and Lochearnhead.
As well as providing better coverage for commercial users, the new and upgraded masts provide better connections for emergency services personnel.