Office of the Secretary of State for Wales
The UK Government and Ofcom will today (12/1/17) host a summit bringing together mobile phone operators, politicians and people affected by poor mobile phone coverage to find a solution to the problem in Wales.
The UK Government is committed to improving connectivity across the country and in all parts of Wales. Tackling mobile not-spots was one of the issues that both Alun Cairns, the Secretary of State for Wales, and Guto Bebb, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales highlighted as a priority when they took office, with the message that Wales cant be left behind the rest of the UK.
Wales is still falling behind the rest of the UK with Ofcoms recent Connected Nations Report showing that indoor 4G coverage in Wales is 30% lower than Northern Ireland, 28% lower than Scotland and 42% lower than England.
Ensuring people across the whole of Wales can access strong mobile phone coverage is a priority for the UK Government. The Digital Economy Bill will make a significant contribution to extending coverage across the UK and in December the Government announced that it would invest 1 billion in digital infrastructure.
Wales Office Minister, Guto Bebb said:
Mobile connectivity is a crucial part of modern life and vital for our economic success, health and well-being. 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.
Its 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 Im hopeful that together we can make some real progress that will benefit businesses, people and communities across Wales.
Rhodri Williams, Ofcoms 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.