A cross-party group of MPs has recommended the introduction of a single rural mobile phone network to help further and faster delivery of 4G to the countryside.
Mobile phone users should have the ability to roam between network providers in rural areas, to help allow more people to make good quality calls and access data in the countryside, the report recommends.
4G has the potential to revolutionise country life and the rural economy, but many farmers and rural businesses increasingly feel abandoned due to poor coverage in favour of greater profits for the operators in urban areas.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Rural Business has now made five recommendations that aim to help overcome barriers that the group discussed with network operators and rural business leaders during the APPG’s inquiry into the issue in June 2018.
The group has called for the introduction of rural roaming, increased transparency and accountability of operators, the prioritisation of coverage over licence fees, mobile connectivity to be at the heart of planning and a more integrated approach.
Julian Sturdy, MP for York Outer and Chair of the APPG for Rural Business, said: “Our report identifies specific solutions that will have a real impact. Introducing rural roaming would give a fast and noticeable difference to 4G coverage in the countryside while minimising the need for operators’ investment by using existing infrastructure.”
The Country Land and Business Association, which represents 30,000 landowners, farmers and rural businesses, said that for too long, those in the countryside have been "disadvantaged" by poor mobile coverage.
CLA Deputy President, Mark Bridgeman said: “The recommendations in the APPG’s report sets out a positive and sensible approach towards ending digital discrimination against people who live and work in the countryside. I urge the network operators to work with Government and Ofcom now to identify how rural roaming could work best and be delivered without delay.”
