Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rural Mobile Coverage

Wednesday 25 June 2025 · 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

  • Caroline Voaden questioned the accuracy of the mobile coverage map for her constituency, noting outdated information.
  • The Minister assured that a new and improved checker for mobile coverage will be available the next day, reflecting more accurate data.
  • Steve Witherden highlighted areas in his rural constituency lacking mobile phone coverage, impacting emergency call capabilities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Caroline Voaden Lib Dem South Devon
Business & Trade Environment
Context

Villages in Caroline Voaden's constituency are facing issues with outdated mobile network maps and the shutdown of 3G networks, leaving residents without reliable 4G network access.

Question

I thank the Minister for his answer. I was going to say that having looked at the villages in my constituency on the mobile map, which was supposed to be updated this month, it is not up to date; it is good to hear that it will be. Many of my constituents have to rely on the 03G network, which is being shut off. We may be years away from getting high-speed broadband across the South Hams, so having access to a reliable 4G network is crucial. Can the Minister tell me exactly how he is working with mobile phone providers to ensure that everyone has access to mobile voice and data coverage?

Answer from The Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms (Chris Bryant)

The hon. Lady is absolutely right. The new checker comes online tomorrow—I know that many hon. Members will have looked at the checker in the past and thought, “That simply doesn’t bear any relationship to my lived experience.” From tomorrow, it will. The new checker is much better; Members will be able to see different numbers for all the mobile operators, which I think will encourage the operators to put up more masts and improve their coverage.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific details on how they are working with mobile phone providers to ensure access to reliable 4G network coverage for rural areas.

How: Working With Operators, Encouraging Them

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Q2 Steve Witherden Lab Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr
Environment
Context

Some rural areas in Steve Witherden's constituency lack mobile phone coverage, leaving people unable to make 999 calls. Concerns have been raised about the impact of PSTN withdrawal on these communities.

Question

In my constituency—one of the most rural parts of the UK—whole areas are without mobile phone coverage. People are forced to cope with unreliable phone lines and, most worryingly, are sometimes unable to call 999. Can the Minister assure me that after the withdrawal of the public switched telephone network, no one will be left without access to a phone simply because there is no mobile signal once their landline is switched off?

Answer from The Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms (Chris Bryant)

I have been very keen to ensure that the withdrawal of the PSTN—which is being done because it is necessary, as the copper system is not working any more and is more fallible—does not leave anybody unable to contact 999 or get the services that they need. I am very happy to arrange for my hon. Friend a meeting with BDUK to go through precisely how we can ensure that we have proper investment in every constituency in the land so that people have the mobile signal they need to live in the modern era.

Answered
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