‘Rural roaming’ to boost mobile phone coverage

MoBILe phone giants could be forced to let smartphone users automatically switch to a rival network in remote areas.

Ministers want to tackle the problem of coverage ‘not spots’ in the countryside by introducing ‘rural roaming’.

Industry regulator ofcom will be asked to look at forcing mobile networks ee, Vodafone, o2 and Three to participate.

Mobile roaming already operates when Britons go overseas to ensure they get a signal.

The proposals are among a number of measures outlined by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport yesterday to tackle poor service, protect against cyber-hackers and end rip-off deals for loyal customers.

Culture Secretary, Jeremy Wright, said: ‘As the UK’s telecoms regulator, ofcom has a critical role in realising our shared connectivity aspirations for the UK. As well as ensuring the necessary improvements to broadband and mobile services, consumers must also be protected. I urge ofcom to tackle harmful business practices and remove barriers to switching.’

Ministers have also vowed to take action to end the scandal of a ‘loyalty penalty’ that is said to cost mobile and broadband customers £1.3billion a year. Companies can charge long-standing customers much more – hundreds of pounds a year – than new ones.

In some cases, people are being charged more for slower broadband packages.

Measures will also be taken to ensure a fresh auction of the nation’s airwaves to ensure services – especially the new higher speed 5G – cover up to 95 per cent of the UK by 2022.n The issue of cyber-security has leapt to the top of the political agenda amid concerns over the control of tech giant Huawei by the Chinese government.

Critics fear Huawei, which is providing the infrastructure for telecoms services in the West, including the UK, could allow Beijing to spy on businesses and individuals.

BT is removing Huawei electronics from parts of its network amid espionage fears.

The government report says Britain is now reviewing infrastructure arrangements to ensure the ‘secure and resilient deployment of new fixed and 5G networks’. In theory, this could see a ban on any further involvement by Huawei.

It also makes clear that ofcom will have a role in policing security arrangements.

The report adds: ‘ofcom has powers at its disposal ... to ensure providers comply with their statutory duties to manage security risks.’

‘Remove barriers to switching’