The 4G network is set to reach thousands of households and businesses across Wales
The new rollout of faster and more reliable 4G hopes that people living and working in rural Wales can benefit from mobile network upgrades.
Connecting rural Wales to the rest of the world
7 government-funded mobile network upgrades are now switched on, these seven sights are located in North, South West and West Wales. This promises to bring faster and more reliable 4G coverage as part of the government’s Shared Rural Network scheme.
The 7 4G mast upgrades were announced today; this shows improvements in addressing the issue of connectivity in underserved regions.
Rural areas have been known to struggle with slow internet speeds and unreliable mobile signals, this can also cause problems with economic growth and access to essential services.
Some of the seven locations include Bontddu, Llanelltyd, Penmaenpool, and parts of Snowdonia National Park, the boosts in connectivity are expected to benefit local residents, businesses and community services.
With faster and more reliable mobile internet, residents can improve access to online services, engage with remote education, and take part in digital banking, all factors that are important in the modern world.
The Shared Rural Network (SRN) initiative
SRN is a joint project between the government and mobile network operators. The main aim is to bring 4G connectivity to rural areas that have previously struggled.
In total, the SRN aims to cover 95% of the UK landmass by 2025, with ongoing improvements to more remote regions through 2027. This will significantly increase the accessibility of 4G networks reaching an estimated 280,000 premises and 16,000 kilometres of road.
The benefits for emergency services
One main benefit of the connectivity upgrade is the improvement in emergency services. In rural areas, mobile connectivity is key for 999 calls, and improving mobile connectivity allows better communications during emergencies.
While the immediate focus is on improving mobile coverage, future investments, such as the £170 million for gigabit broadband, show the government’s long-term strategy for rural connectivity.