MPs welcome Government’s £1billon aimed at ending poor rural mobile coverage

The Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has responded to the Government’s £1 billion deal with mobile network operators. 

Neil Parish MP, the Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, said:  

“We welcome today’s news that the Government plans to achieve 95% land coverage by 2025. Progress on improving mobile coverage in rural areas so far has been frustratingly slow.

“The Committee has awaited the detail of the Shared Rural Network proposal with interest. Our recent report highlighted the digital divide between urban and rural areas, and the impact poor coverage was having on rural communities and businesses. We believe this roll out is set to have a hugely positive effect on the wider rural economy.”

“We will be keeping a close eye on any further developments to ensure that the Government and the Mobile Network Operators put their money where their mouth is.”