Three of the United Kingdom’s four major mobile network operators have announced plans to build 222 new masts to tackle poor rural mobile coverage.
Vodafone, O2 and Three UK will jointly construct and share the new sites to improve 4G connectivity across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Nick Jeffery, CEO of Vodafone UK, said:
“We know connectivity is vital and the only way to fill the holes in the UK’s mobile coverage is to work together. Our unique collaboration with O2 and Three will deliver 222 new sites in parts of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that need better connectivity. Delivering the Shared Rural Network will make a huge difference to communities across the UK.”
Of the new sites, 124 will be built in Scotland, 33 in Wales, 11 in Northern Ireland and 54 in England. Construction is scheduled to start this year and to be completed by 2024.
This work forms the first phase of the Shared Rural Network (SRN), an initiative intended to raise the share of UK land where every mobile operator offers 4G coverage from 67 percent to 84 percent.
Mark Evans, CEO of O2, commented:
“The Shared Rural Network is a new and more collaborative way of delivering greater investment in infrastructure to improve mobile digital connectivity – a high impact enabler of economic growth. I am delighted that O2 is working in partnership with other mobile operators to deliver the Shared Rural Network, which will support individuals, businesses and communities across rural Britain.”
While the SRN will be driven by private investment from the operators, the UK government is contributing more than £500 million to eliminate complete “notspots” where no operator currently provides 4G service.
Matt Warman, Minister for Digital Infrastructure, said:
“I’m delighted to see major progress being made to banish ‘not spots’ of poor or patchy mobile coverage. This new infrastructure will unlock the potential of rural communities in all four nations and offer a greater choice of fast and reliable 4G services. As part of this new Shared Rural Network, the government is also investing half a billion pounds on new masts in areas without any signal at all meaning no one is left behind.”
The main operator that has not joined the mast-building agreement is EE. EE says it already provides extensive 4G coverage and expects to meet its SRN commitments by upgrading its existing sites rather than building new shared masts.
Improved rural 4G coverage is expected to benefit residents, businesses and visitors by enhancing digital access for services such as emergency communications, remote working, education and local commerce. By coordinating infrastructure investment and sharing new sites, the participating operators aim to accelerate rollout in hard-to-reach areas while avoiding unnecessary duplication of masts.
This first delivery phase of 222 shared sites represents a targeted approach to reduce the geographic gaps in mobile service. If successfully completed by the planned 2024 deadline, the SRN’s initial phase will provide a measurable increase in consistent 4G availability across rural parts of the UK and serve as a foundation for future improvements in mobile connectivity.