Mobile operator O2 (VMO2) has hit a key milestone after they rolled out enhanced 4G (mobile broadband) coverage across 100 rural sites as part of their commitment under the £1bn industry-led Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme, which aims to extend geographic 4G cover (aggregate) to 95% of the UK by the end of 2025.
The SRN – supported by £500m of public funding and £532m from operators – involves both the reciprocal sharing of existing UK masts in certain areas and the demand-led building and sharing of new masts in others between the operators (MNO). But the 95% figure is only when the service is available from at least one operator, while the UK coverage forecast for SRN completion for all operators is actually just 84% for the same date (i.e. geographic areas where you’ll be able to take 4G from all providers).
In terms of O2’s 100th SRN site, this was deployed on the remote Isle of Sky in Scotland, which required a helicopter to lift and drop the new 4G mast into place on the island (they’ve had to do this a few times for remote areas). Of the 100 rural sites that have been built or upgraded by O2 so far, 78 are in some of the most remote parts of Scotland, while 19 are in rural parts of England and 3 are in Northern Ireland.
Both Three UK and Vodafone also benefit from access to these new sites, which is a reciprocal arrangement. Taking into account the progress of Three UK and Vodafone’s own deployments, O2’s customers can now benefit from better 4G services at a total of 146 rural locations due to the SRN and this continues to rise.
Jeanie York, CTO of Virgin Media O2, said:
“We’re going to extreme lengths connecting the most remote corners of the UK to deliver our share of the Shared Rural Network.
This investment is vital to ensure we provide fast and reliable coverage to all areas of the UK. With so much of our modern life taking place online, rural communities deserve the same standard of mobile connectivity as those in urban areas, and we’re proud to be stepping up and playing our part.
The 100 sites we have delivered will mean that more residents, businesses and visitors in rural areas can benefit from better mobile coverage, with more locations to follow in the coming months. This work is vital in tackling the urban-rural digital divide that exists in the UK.”
Take note that the SRN target varies between different parts of the UK. For example, 4G coverage from at least one MNO is expected to reach 98% in England, 91% in Scotland, 95% in Wales and 98% in Northern Ireland. But this falls to 90% in England, 74% in Scotland, 80% in Wales and 85% in Northern Ireland when looking at 4G coverage from all MNOs combined.
Despite all the talk of 2025 being the main goal, Ofcom’s final deadline for improvements in “total not-spot areas” is actually set for early 2027. But today’s news comes as O2, Vodafone and Three UK are facing criticism from politicians and the media for allegedly falling significantly behind on their commitment to complete SRN upgrades in partial not-spot areas (first SRN phase) by June 2024 (here).
By comparison, EE (BT) has been able to boast about achieving the June 2024 target some 6 months ahead of schedule.