Phones with no signal

SIR – Ben Wright (Business, July 26) was right to highlight the importance of broadband to the rural economy. However, it is not the only important aspect of rural connectivity.

I run rural businesses in Northumberland and Gloucestershire. I am fortunate to have good broadband in both locations. My biggest frustration is the pathetic mobile coverage. Mobile phones work in neither office and rarely in between. This is not just a rural problem, as reception is variable in cities. Last year I travelled in Norway and never lost signal, so the only cause must be lack of investment by the service providers.

My current mobile contract costs about 25 per cent of what I pay BT for the privilege of having a piece of Victorian technology tied to the wall. I only suffer the costs of the latter because the former does not work well enough. I would love to be rid of my ancient phone and be fully mobile. The situation needs to improve.

Angus Collingwood-cameron Alnwick, Northumberland