Shared Rural Network

The Shared Rural Network will ensure geographic coverage from at least one operator to 95% of the UK by the end of the programme, broadening consumer choice for mobile services in rural areas.

Across the UK, there will be a significant increase in the areas where all four operators deliver coverage, from 69% to 84% by the end of the programme. The areas forecast to benefit from the Shared Rural Network are illustrated in the below map (click to enlarge).

As a result of the Shared Rural Network, 4G in all four home nations of the UK coverage will increase as follows:

4G Coverage from all MNOs4G Coverage from at least one MNO
Pre-SRNCurrent CoverageForecast post-SRNPre-SRNCurrent CoverageForecast post-SRN
Overall66%72%84%91%93%95%
England81%86%90%97%98%98%
Scotland41%50%74%80%85%91%
Wales57%64%80%90%92%95%
Northern Ireland75%82%85%97%97%98%

% figures rounded to whole figures. Pre SRN figures taken from Ofcom 2019 Connected Nations Report published 13 December 2019. Current coverage taken from Ofcom Connected Nations 2024 Spring Update published 24 April 2024.

Progress against these targets will be measured by Ofcom. Visit the Ofcom website for more information about licence obligations and methodology.

Please visit the relevant section to view the forecast coverage improvement on a map, and broken down by region, for each of the four nations: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

About the data

The coverage improvement forecast is based on the initial radio plan, which was submitted to Ofcom in June 2020, and is subject to change as the programme progresses. Pre-SRN figures are taken from Ofcom 2020 Connected Nations data. All % figures are rounded to whole figures. The forecast improvements are subject to availability of Extended Area Service sites. Coverage improvements are subject to finding suitable sites, obtaining power supply and backhaul and securing the necessary permissions through the planning system.

England

In England, coverage from all four operators will rise to a minimum of 90%, up from 81%. Coverage from at least one operator will increase from 97% to 98% by the end of the programme (click map to enlarge).

4G Coverage from all MNOs4G Coverage from at least one MNO
RegionPre-SRNForecast post-SRNPre-SRNForecast post-SRN
East Midlands90%94%99%99%
East of England90%93%99%99%
North East68%86%91%98%
North West73%88%94%98%
South East85%91%99%99%
South West75%87%97%99%
West Midlands80%92%99%99%
Yorkshire and The Humber81%90%95%99%

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, coverage from all four operators will rise to a minimum of 85%, up from 75%. Coverage from at least one operator will increase from 97% to 98% by the end of the programme (click map to enlarge).

4G Coverage from all MNOs4G Coverage from at least one MNO
Region (Local Authority)Pre-SRNForecast post-SRNPre-SRNForecast post-SRN
Antrim and Newtownabbey86%94%99%99%
Ards and North Down85%99%99%99%
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon82%93%99%99%
Causeway Coast and Glens77%87%96%99%
Derry City and Strabane61%76%92%97%
Fermanagh and Omagh71%79%96%98%
Lisburn and Castlereagh88%96%99%99%
Mid Ulster73%87%99%99%
Mid and East Antrim81%88%98%98%
Newry, Mourne and Down67%80%94%98%

Scotland

In Scotland, coverage from all four operators will rise to a minimum of 74%, up from 41%. Coverage from at least one operator will increase from 80% to 91% by the end of the programme (click map to enlarge).

4G Coverage from all MNOs4G Coverage from at least one MNO
Electoral RegionPre-SRNForecast post-SRNPre-SRNForecast post-SRN
Central Scotland87%92%99%99%
Highlands and Islands 26%68%73%91%
Lothian 88%94%99%99%
Mid Scotland and Fife 53%78%80%93%
North East Scotland 59%79%86%94%
South Scotland 55%81%88%97%
West Scotland 59%82%91%98%

Wales

In Wales, coverage from all four operators will rise to a minimum of 80%, up from 57%. Coverage from at least one operator will increase from 89% to 95% by the end of the programme (click map to enlarge).

4G Coverage from all MNOs4G Coverage from at least one MNO
Senedd RegionPre-SRNForecast post-SRNPre-SRNForecast post-SRN
Mid and West Wales51%78%86%97%
North Wales63%83%93%98%
South Wales Central82%90%98%99%
South Wales East71%89%95%99%
South Wales West79%88%97%99%