15 November 2024: Rural towns and villages in Cumbria are benefiting from faster, more reliable mobile coverage as government-funded 4G network upgrades were switched on.
26 government-funded mast upgrades have now been activated as part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) – a programme brokered by the UK government and joint-funded with mobile network operators to improve mobile coverage in rural areas. This includes three in England.
Residents, local businesses and community organisations in areas including Roadhead, Roweltown and Bewcastle, as well as visitors to Solway Coast AONB can now take advantage of better connectivity.
The boost has been carried out by upgrading existing mobile masts which previously only connected EE customers and anyone making 999 calls, meaning communities can benefit from improved connectivity without the visual impact involved when building new masts.
Residents, tourists and businesses can access more reliable 4G coverage from all four mobile network operators – EE, Three, VMO2, and Vodafone – closing the digital divide between urban and rural communities and boosting economic growth in the region.
Minister of State for Telecoms Chris Bryant said:
“Powered by government investment, the Shared Rural Network is now bringing fast and reliable mobile internet access to parts of Cumbria where many would previously struggle to even send a text message. This connectivity boost supports local businesses, attracts tourism, and ensures that emergency services can be contacted quickly and efficiently – even in remote locations. It’s an important step forward in our mission to kickstart the economy and unlock opportunity in rural areas across Cumbria and the country.”
EAS mast near Roadhead, Cumbria
Ben Roome, CEO of Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited (DMSL) said:
“This marks a significant milestone for Cumbria as we celebrate the launch of another new Shared Rural Network site, delivering 4G coverage from all four major mobile operators. Better coverage helps bridge the digital divide, bringing new opportunities to rural communities.”
Since the Shared Rural Network programme began in 2020, an additional 30,000 square kilometres – an area twice the size of Northern Ireland – are receiving coverage from all four operators: EE, Three, VMO2 and Vodafone.
Through the SRN programme, the government and the UK’s four mobile network operators aim to provide 4G coverage to an additional 280,000 premises and 16,000km of the UK’s roads.
The programme also aims to improve 4G geographic coverage to 79% of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, up from 51% before the programme launched, and 74% of National Parks up from 41%, benefitting millions of visitors every year.
The UK government is investing £184 million to upgrade Extended Area Service (EAS) masts to provide coverage from all four mobile operators. Currently, commercial coverage from EAS masts is only available from EE – the operator responsible for the Emergency Services Network.
Mobile operators have also invested over £500 million to target ‘partial not spots’, where customers can only access 4G if they are signed up with a mobile network operator that is active in the area. This part of the programme has already delivered significant coverage improvements across the UK, including in the areas of Shetland, Yorkshire, Fermanagh and Devon.
