Over 100 mobile network masts have been upgraded to deliver 4G coverage from all major mobile network operators as part of the Shared Rural Network programme.
Of the 105 masts that were upgraded, 44 were in Wales, 33 were in Scotland and 28 were in England, in an effort to provide connectivity in areas that were previously not served by all mobile network operators.
The upgraded mast network is predicted to bring outdoor 4G signal coverage from all mobile networks to over 4,000 square kilometres of the UK.
New coverage will also be available in 10 national parks across England, Scotland and Wales, including Eryri National Park and the Lake District.
“Whether you’re in the Welsh valleys, the Scottish Highlands, or England’s national parks – rural communities are finally getting the connections they deserve, boosting opportunity and growth as we drive forward plans for national renewal,” said Telecoms Minister Liz Lloyd.
The Shared Rural Network is a joint programme between the government and a selection of the UK’s mobile network operators – EE, Virgin Media O2 and VodafoneThree – to improve rural coverage across Britain.
Ben Roome, chief executive of the Shared Rural Network delivery partner Mova, points to how collaboration is key.
“This achievement is testament to what can be accomplished when government and industry work together,” he said.
“Since the Shared Rural Network began, 4G coverage from all four operators has grown from 66% to over 81% of the UK, an increase equivalent to the size of Wales and Northern Ireland combined.”
The programme reached its target of delivering 4G to 95% of UK landmass a year ahead of schedule and will continue until January 2027.
During this time, the scheme plans for 85 government funded mast upgrades across Britain, and up to 44 new publicly funded masts built across Scotland.
