A local Assembly Member has met with Three, one of the UK’s leading mobile networks, to discuss plans to improve mobile coverage and the rollout of its 4G network in Mid Wales.
Montgomeryshire Assembly Member, Russell George, who met with the mobile network company this week (1st October) said the meeting was extremely positive.
4G is the fourth generation of mobile phone technology which will make it much quicker to access the internet on mobile phones, tablets and laptops, with download speeds expected to be closer to levels that people currently experience with home broadband.
Following the meeting, Mr George, who also Chairs the National Assembly’s Cross Party Group on Digital Communications, said:
“After a constructive meeting with Three, I am pleased to hear that mobile coverage in Montgomeryshire is set to improve significantly over the next year as it begins to roll out its 4G service in the area.
“While Three expect to achieve a high level of coverage, I have asked for further information on which rural communities in Mid Wales will still experience patchy mobile coverage following their rollout.
“I was encouraged to hear that EE and Three have entered into a network sharing partnership in an effort to expedite the rollout and improve overall coverage but fear that some residents in Powys will simply not benefit from this new technology at all and that mobile coverage in deep rural areas of my constituency will remain patchy.
“I will be looking to Ofcom and Government to provide their view on how they can remove the barriers which are preventing the further development of mobile infrastructure in rural areas.
“I have also asked the Welsh Government whether it has any intentions to introduce a Mobile Support Scheme which could support communities in Montgomeryshire, so no areas are left behind.”
Mr George will also be meeting Ofcom Wales next week (8th October) to discuss mobile coverage in rural areas further.