4G MOBILE coverage is to be boosted across the region following a major deal between the country’s biggest mobile network operators and the UK Government.
The Shared Rural Network (SRN) will see EE, O2, Three and Vodafone build and upgrade phone masts in a bid to ensure that the remaining pockets of the south-west still not served by 4G are finally connected-up.
The scheme will see phone signal dial-up by 26 per cent locally. It has been welcomed by Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell and MSP Oliver Mundell, who have been long-term campaigners for improved phone coverage in the region.
David Mundell said: “There have been many false dawns when it comes to boosting mobile coverage locally, and we must certainly hope that this new agreement is the breakthrough we all want to see.
“Under the existing arrangements, just 55 per cent of the South of Scotland gets mobile coverage from all of the country’s mobile network operators, with 88 per cent getting coverage from only a single provider. It is expected that under the new Shared Rural Network, those coverage figures could rise to see 81 per cent of our area being covered by all the main providers, and 97 per cent of Dumfriesshire getting a signal from at least one operator.”
