A major investment between O2, Three and Vodafone will see 222 mobile masts erected in rural locations across the country, boosting 4G coverage and eliminating partial ‘not spots’.
This programme of investment will increase coverage across the United Kingdom with 54 masts to be installed in England. Although it’s unknown exactly where the masts will be established, the Isle of Wight is a good candidate for benefitting from this first stage of the Shared Rural Network.
The Shared Rural Network (SRN) will see the 3 mobile network operators – as well as EE – come together to ensure 95% of the country is receiving good mobile signal by the end of 2025. The Isle of Wight has already seen significant investment from EE as part of the newly-created Emergency Services Network, with local areas such as Undercliff Drive now able to receive data signal.
The construction of the new masts will commence in 2021 and is scheduled to be completed by 2024.
Responding to the news, CLA President Mark Bridgeman has said:
“News that mobile operators will deliver the first stage of the Shared Rural Network will enhance the lives of millions of people living in the countryside and will provide a much-needed boost to rural productivity, which is 16% below the national average.
“Only 66% of rural areas currently have good access to 4G coverage, with only a 1% improvement recorded last year. This agreement will hopefully speed up the process of increased coverage being rolled-out – and the improvement will help unlock investment in the rural economy.
“Better coverage could also see more businesses start-up or re-locate to the countryside, creating new jobs as the country emerges from the Covid-19 crisis. But that will only happen if the proposed timescales are fulfilled.”
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This will just mean more ease of then building ever more huge estate in more rural locations here.
NOT the good news some naive may think. Enjoy the view, whilst you can. The benefit hutches are growing and spreading outwards.
Vote this council out next time.
True Billy, as all homes now naturally expect decent internet, especially with more working from home, and likely future education will be increasingly home based.
So, yes, a double edged sword, as now no-where will be safe from the greed of this lot and developers.
All we can do is to vote for the best of the worst, which ISN’T this shower now in.
Described as 4G but equally useful for 5G, which is coming whether we need it or not.
Ugly ‘Blots’ on the beautiful IOW landscape
Our co uncil know that to build to attract more to live on the Island, that they will need fast internet, as those arriving will expect nothing less.
So the very thin end of a far, far uglier wedge as the ‘blot’s will become ‘estates’.
Vote this bunch out next time.
With Starlink on the way, we won’t need a single tower, pole or any wildlife decapitating wires.
Fast speeds too.