The UK Government has taken a decisive step to eliminate mobile coverage gaps in rural Wales, with the activation of the first set of 4G masts. This move is part of a broader effort to bring fast and reliable mobile coverage to remote areas, aiming to foster economic growth and bridge the digital divide.
The initiative falls under the Shared Rural Network programme, a £1bn collaboration between the government and telecommunications companies. The programme’s goal is to extend mobile connectivity to cover 95% of the UK landmass. By upgrading existing infrastructure to 4G, the project promises improved connectivity with minimal impact on the landscape.
Residents, business owners, and visitors in areas such as Pont-rhyd-y-groes, Ysbyty Ystwyth, LLanafan, Tynygraig, West Fedw, and Trawsgoed are among the first to benefit from the enhanced service. This upgrade is expected to boost local economies and improve the overall quality of life in these communities.
Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez highlighted the importance of reliable mobile service, stating that poor connectivity has been a significant hurdle for rural businesses and a source of frustration for many. She emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring no one is left behind in the digital era.
The recent developments in Powys County, where residents and tourists now have access to 4G from all four major network operators, marks a milestone in the government’s efforts to improve mobile coverage across the country.
In the coming months, additional masts are planned to be activated in Esgair Maen and Bronfelin, furthering the reach of the Shared Rural Network. By the end of the programme, a total of 86 masts will have been switched on in Wales, significantly reducing areas without coverage.
This initiative is part of a £1 billion deal between the government and the mobile industry aimed at achieving 95% mobile coverage across the UK by the end of 2025. Ben Roome, CEO of Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited (DMSL), noted that since the announcement of the Shared Rural Network in March 2020, 4G coverage has expanded across an additional 1,000 square kilometres in Wales, an area larger than Monmouthshire.
Welsh Secretary David TC Davies expressed delight at the progress made in addressing mobile blackspots in Powys, underscoring the positive impact of the Shared Rural Network on rural communities and businesses.
The UK Government’s investment of over £180 million in this programme is not only aimed at enhancing 4G coverage but also at supporting the infrastructure use by all mobile network operators. This week’s developments build on the significant progress made in expanding mobile connectivity in Wales since the Shared Rural Network agreement with the four major network operators in March 2020.
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