British mobile network operators (MNOs) O2, Three and Vodafone have reportedly requested a delay of up to two years in the current June 2024 deadline set for the delivery of improved coverage in ‘Partial Not-Spot’ areas under the ‘Shared Rural Network’ (‘SRN’) project. As per the SRN, by mid-2024 the MNOs have been tasked with ensuring 4G coverage of 88% of the UK’s landmass, while the project also includes a deadline for improvements in ‘Total Not-Spot’ areas by ‘early 2027’.
According to ISPreview, which cites a report by local news outlet The Telegraph, the request has been prompted in part by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as long delays (of up to 500 days) attributable to securing the necessary planning permissions for sites needed to improve coverage.
Commenting on the matter, a spokesperson for Three was cited as saying: ‘We are on track to deliver the overall January 2027 target for 4G geographic coverage under the SRN programme having already built 100 sites and secured planning on 80% of the new sites that we have committed to. However, we have recently written to the government asking for an extension to the June 2024 interim target which was agreed immediately prior to the COVID lockdowns and has been impacted by delays associated with the pandemic.’