Mobile signal across Brecon and Radnorshire looks set to improve following a partnership between the UK Government and mobile phone company EE.
During a meeting with local MP Fay Jones, EE – part of the BT Group – confirmed that work was underway to on connectivity infrastructure projects in some of the more isolated parts of the constituency. Wales is a particular target for EE; 300 their planned sites for improvement are in Wales. To date, 14 sites in Brecon and Radnorshire have been earmarked for construction.
The work is part of a wider commitment from the UK Government to improve rural connectivity by improving mobile phone coverage. Under government plans, coverage will increase by a nearly a third so that 95% of the country will have access to 4G and 5G signal. Part of this will be through the Emergency Services Network – a project by the Home Office to deliver 292 masts right across the UK. The new masts will allow 999 calls to be made from any 4G enabled mobile phone in some of the most remote and rural parts of Great Britain where it was not previously possible. Off the back of this, commercial mobile operators will then be able to offer service from the new masts – something which could be game-changing for rural areas like Brecon and Radnorshire.
Fay Jones said: “This is one of the biggest issues in my inbox. Residents are held back by poor broadband – to say nothing of the boost it could give to emergency services. Good connectivity could boost economic growth right across Brecon and Radnorshire so I am really pleased with EE’s announcements today.
I’m very glad this is being supported by the UK Government. By rolling out the Emergency Services Network, we will equip our area with the vital coverage we so badly need.
It’s imperative that we deliver this urgently. I am writing to the Home Office this week to encourage a faster paced delivery so that companies like EE are able to provide better signal quickly.”
