Government is planning to scale back its £1 billion Shared Rural Network (SRN) project, according to a Telegraph report.
Ministers are in talks with MNOs over the second phase of the initiative aimed at tackling so-called mobile signal not-spots in rural areas.
It is understood that officials are planning to reduce the number of new mobile masts to be built from 260 down to 60.
A Department for Science, Innovation and Technology spokesperson said, “It is wrong to suggest there will be any let up in our determination to upgrade connectivity for our rural communities.
“Mobile network operators have previously said they can deliver the objectives of the Shared Rural Network with far fewer new masts, benefiting communities and reducing the impact on landscapes. We continue to work with operators on the details.
“The Shared Rural Network has already led to hundreds of mast upgrades and helped bring 4G coverage to over 95 per cent of the UK.”
of the UK.”
Separately, 30 mast upgrades have now been activated as part of the SRN. In total, 21 sites are now live in Wales, five in Scotland and four in England.
Rural towns and villages in North York Moors National Park will now receive fast, reliable mobile coverage as one of 4G network upgrades that were switched on. It means residents, local businesses and community organisations in areas including Helmsley, Harome, Great Edstone and Cold Kirby can now receive better connectivity.
The boost has been carried out by upgrading existing mobile masts which previously only connected EE customers and anyone making 999 calls, meaning communities can benefit from improved connectivity without the visual impact involved when building new masts.
It will enable residents, tourists and businesses to access reliable 4G coverage from all four mobile network operators – EE, Three, VMO2 and Vodafone – closing the digital divide between urban and rural communities and boosting economic growth across the nations.
Telecoms Minister, Sir Chris Bryant, said, “For far too long, people living and working in remote places have been battling with poor phone signal.
“It is fantastic to see 30 government-funded masts being switched on, breaking down digital divides across the UK. Thanks to the Shared Rural Network we are not only improving the quality of life for communities in these remote areas of Britain, but also creating more opportunities for local businesses, boosting tourism, and helping emergency services save lives.”
Ben Roome, CEO of Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited, said, “Since March 2020, when the Shared Rural Network was announced, 4G coverage from all four operators in England has expanded by over 11,000 square kilometres, nearly the size of the West Midlands region. This programme will continue to improve 4G service for people in rural areas as more shared mobile sites go live.”
The SRN was launched in 2020 to help build masts in isolated areas that would otherwise not be commercially viable. The first phase of the project was completed last year, targeting areas where there was coverage from at least one but not all operators. The second stage is aimed at eliminating not-spots, where there is no coverage from any operator.