The UK government has confirmed the parts of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that’ll benefit from its £150 million Mobile Infrastructure Project. Cornwall, Northumberland, Strabane, Aberdeenshire and Powys are among the areas that will be targeted by the project.
Funding is coming from the government, site infrastructure will be installed by Arqiva and connectivity will be arranged by the ‘big four’ mobile network operators (EE, Telefonica, Three and Vodafone).
Arqiva has already begin identifying suitable sites. Some are expected to be working by the end of this year, although the project is due to run until 2015.
Ed Vaizey MP, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, said “This project will see mobile phone coverage extended to many of the people who currently live and work in areas where there is none. The project will provide a significant boost to local economies across the UK, and will be instrumental in helping Britain win the global race.”
It’s thought that improved mobile phone coverage will provide economic benefits worth millions of pounds as well as the positive social impact of increased safety and security.
[Government policy document; government 'not spot' map (pdf)]