Craig calls for a shared rural network to improve mobile network

South Thanet MP, Craig Mackinlay, is one of a group of 78 cross-party MPs representing rural constituencies urging the Government to support a proposal by the mobile industry to create a ‘Shared Rural Network’ to extend mobile overage to hard to reach areas.

The MPs have written to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Jeremy Wright, asking him to support the initiative which would significantly improve rural coverage and enhance economic, educational and leisure opportunities in rural areas where, in some cases, there is no coverage at all.

The four Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) put forward a proposal for a ‘Shared Rural Network’ after the MPs called on the Secretary of State to impose compulsory roaming between providers if the industry did not come up with its own solution.

In the letter they say “Whilst we have previously written to you in support of roaming, we see industry’s proposal for a Shared Rural Network as potentially another effective way of extending mobile coverage and believe it should replace Ofcom’s coverage proposals because, in part, it has the support of all four MNOs. We also see the ask of £620m from the Government to build these masts as better value for taxpayers’ money, when you take into consideration the potential £800m discount Ofcom had planned to offer just two operators at the next auction and would instead urge Government to invest that discount in improving coverage.”

Craig Mackinlay MP said:

“The residents and businesses in many areas of my South Thanet constituency have particularly suffered because of a lack of mobile coverage, and it is not only rural locations.

“The current inadequate digital connectivity has had a huge impact on growth for the local, regional and national economy and needs to be put right as soon as possible.

“I welcome these new proposals because it will provide a much needed solution in a more efficient and effective way than current proposals”.

The MPs are also supporting the industry’s call for the reform of Permitted Development Rights to allow for new masts, equivalence in policy with fixed broadband such as business rates relief in line with those for new fixed fibre networks and also better access to public sector owned sites and land.

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