Calls for new mobile phone cover targets

Business leaders in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have urged UK ministers to ensure new mobile coverage targets are as ambitious as possible.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has written to the Secretaries of State for the devolved nations as Ofcom consults on coverage obligations in the award of the 700 MHZ spectrum band.

The regulator has proposed that successful operators would provide good voice and data services across at least 92 per cent of the UK’S total landmass.

Obligations would also be attached to provide good coverage across 92 per cent of Northern Ireland and England’s landmass, 83 per cent of Wales’ landmass and 76 per cent of Scotland’s landmass.

Ofcom estimates at least 95 per cent of the new coverage would have to be in rural areas.