Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rural Mobile Coverage

Thursday 24 September 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government has agreed a 1 billion deal with mobile network operators to improve rural mobile coverage.
  • Operators will increase mobile phone coverage to 95% by the end of 2025.
  • Shared rural network roll-out is already underway, with benefits expected before 2025.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gagan Mohindra Con South West Hertfordshire
Transport Environment
Context

None specified, but the question implies a general concern about poor mobile connectivity in rural regions.

Question

What progress his Department has made on improving mobile coverage in rural areas.

Answer from Matt Warman

The Government have agreed a £1 billion deal with mobile network operators to deliver the shared rural network, and this landmark deal will see operators collectively increase mobile phone coverage throughout the UK to 95% by the end of 2025, with legally binding coverage commitments. The exact site deployments will be managed by the operators, but I am pleased to say that the shared masts have already gone live in Wales, the Peak district and elsewhere.

Answered
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Q2 Edward Timpson Con
Transport
Context

The MP welcomes the introduction and roll-out of the shared rural network but is concerned about the long wait until end of 2025 for his constituents with poor mobile coverage.

Question

Can my hon. Friend give me some reassurance that the roll-out will be done as quickly as possible, particularly in the hardest hit areas, such as Eddisbury, so that they can get the reliable, equitable 4G network they need?

Answer from Matt Warman

My hon. Friend is right that far too much of the country does not yet have the mobile coverage it needs and deserves, and that is why the shared rural network exists. As I said in my answer, it is already being rolled out, and its positive effects will be felt well before 2025. I look forward, with my hon. Friend and others, to engaging with the mobile networks to make sure that those plans come forward as quickly as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer provided general reassurance but did not commit to specific actions or timelines for prioritizing hard-hit areas like Eddisbury.

How: Looking At This, Engaging With The Mobile Networks

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