UK’s mobile networks working together to tackle ‘not-spots’

LONDON: The UK’s big four mobile operators have agreed to work together on a shared 4G rural network plan that aims to bring mobile connectivity to poorly served areas of the country.

EE, O2, Three and Vodafone will collectively fund £530 million towards a network of new and existing phone masts they would all share equally, though the deal is yet to be finalised.

If it goes ahead, the government has pledged up to £500 million towards the proposal, which aims to bring 4G coverage to 95 per cent of the UK by 2025 by addressing so-called “not-spots” in remote locations. At present, almost a third of the UK suffers with patchy coverage. The government claims the move will banish almost all partial not-spots, where there is currently only coverage from at least one but not all operators, and an additional 280,000 premises and 9,942 miles (16,000km) of roads will have mobile coverage.

Scott Petty, chief technology officer for Vodafone UK, told the PA news agency that his expectations for the deal to go through are somewhere around the 90 per cent mark and said he believes it is “extremely unlikely” to have any impact on prices for consumers. “I think this is a very efficient way for us to build the infrastructure and certainly more cost- effective than other proposals that have been put on the table,” he said.

But experts have warned people to keep pressuring the industry, as there are still several legal hurdles that could stall efforts. “Proposals to finally boost much-needed 4G coverage across the UK are positive and should help consumers access a better signal, but government and industry must now urgently clarify how these plans will deliver the right level of geographic coverage to match what people actually need,” said Caroline Normand, director of advocacy at Which?.

Richard Neudegg, head of regulation at uSwitch.com, said: “While potentially exciting, this agreement still isn’t signed and has several legal hurdles to clear, so people in rural areas need to maintain pressure on the government and network providers to get this over the line.” Regulator Ofcom welcomed the news, saying: “These improvements will make a real difference to mobile customers across the UK, and we’ll ensure they’re legally binding by writing them into operators’ licences.

“We will also monitor and report on companies’ progress in achieving better coverage. Separately, we will shortly set out revised plans to release more airwaves for mobile services next year. In light of today’s agreement, we are no longer proposing to include coverage requirements in our auction process. We will now press ahead, with industry, on the urgent task of getting better mobile services to people wherever they are.”

Digital Secretary Nicky Morgan said: “Brokering an agreement for mast sharing between networks alongside new investment in mobile infrastructure will mean people get good 4G signal no matter where they are or which provider they’re with. But it is not yet a done deal and I want to see industry move quickly so we can reach a final agreement early next year.”