MP hopes new phone deal will reduce rural network issues
Poor mobile phone coverage in rural Perth and Kinross could become a thing of the past as the UK government co-champions a new £1billion cross-network coverage deal.
Digital secretary Nicky Morgan is supporting a £530million proposal from four mobile network operators for a shared rural network to banish remote “not-spots”throughout the UK.
The £500m proposal put forward by EE, Vodaphone, Three and O2 will be complemented by the UK government, which will match-fund the project.
The deal would see the operators invest in a network of new and existing phone masts they would all share to boost 4G coverage to reach rural areas with little or no signal to around 90 per cent.
Only 68 to 76 per cent of premises in Luke Graham MP’s Ochil and South Perthshire constituency have indoor coverage from all operators, while only 60 to 75 per cent of land area has coverage from all operators.
Conservative politician Mr Graham said:“Connectivity is crucial for our constituency, we’ve made big steps improving broadband but mobile must not be forgotten.
“Our rural areas are just as important as our towns and cities. This funding will help connect our most remote communities.
“I will continue to press government to agree this package which will be incredibly beneficial to Ochil and South Perthshire.”
According to Ofcom’s Connected Nations 2018 report, 65 per cent of UK landmass has 4G data coverage from all four mobile network operators, but 9.3 per cent of the UK had no 4G data coverage from any operator.
Moves to cement plans to give high-quality 4G coverage to 95 per cent of the UK by 2025, mean consumers will get good 4G signal on the go wherever they live, work or travel.
The deal with the four UK Mmobile network operators will provide additional coverage to 280,000 homes and businesses.