Welsh Office seek to improve mobile ‘not spots’

Wales Office Minister Guto Bebb and Ofcom are to hold a summit bringing to find a solution to the poor mobile phone coverage in Wales.

Despite the Digital Economy Bill and recent investments into the area, Wales is still falling behind the rest of the UK in terms of mobile phone coverage. Ofcom’s recent Connected Nations Report showed that indoor 4G coverage in Wales is 30 per cent lower than Northern Ireland, 28 per cent lower than Scotland and 42 per cent lower than England.

Bebb said: “This summit aims to bring the UK government, regulators and Mobile Network Providers together to improve coverage for businesses and communities across Wales. This is the beginning of a process that will address the barriers that face people across the nation.

“It’s unacceptable that Wales continues to lag behind the rest of the UK in terms of mobile coverage in an era when businesses, travellers and householders need to be able to rely on robust mobile provision. To ensure that Wales flourishes in the 21st century digital economy, we need the right telecommunications network and I’m hopeful that together we can make some real progress that will benefit businesses, people and communities across Wales.”

Rhodri Williams, Ofcom’s Director in Wales, said: “Wales’ terrain makes the task of building digital infrastructure more difficult and more costly than in many other parts of the UK. However, the expectations of consumers in Wales are increasing and we all now want to be able to use our mobile devices wherever we are. In order for communications to work for everyone, all parties with a role to play should collaborate to do what we can to get the best solution for consumers in Wales.”