The challenges associated with having poor mobile phone reception are all too familiar to many of those living in rural areas. Mobile technology and connectivity have become a necessity no matter where you live. The ability to quickly access information, work and learn remotely, use online services, and stay connected with friends and family, are all part of the world we live in. 

However, not all areas have access to reliable broadband and 4G networks. DMSL is working closely with the UK Government and the mobile network operators (MNOs) - EE, Three, Virgin Media O2 and Vodafone - to help close the digital divide and increase mobile connectivity in rural parts of the UK by delivering the Shared Rural Network (SRN).

The SRN will make mobile 4G available to 95% of UK landmass, offering significant improvements to mobile coverage in rural communities. We expect this will extend mobile coverage to an additional 280,000 premises and create an additional 16,000km of the UK’s roads, boosting productivity and investment in rural areas. 

The SRN will cost over £1billlion to build and operate, with the UK Government contributing £500m and the operators contributing £532m. The Shared Rural Network is the first time that the UK Government and MNOs have come together to deliver a programme of this scale and impact and will be delivered in two parts.

For areas where there is some 4G coverage, but not from all four operators, known as partial not-spots, the MNOs are investing in extending coverage by upgrading their existing networks. By closing the majority of partial not-spots across the UK, the programme will increase choice for rural communities and businesses and improve the experience for people travelling around the UK.  Improvements in partial not spot areas already being delivered across the UK

The publicly funded element will see new masts being built to target the hard-to-reach areas with no mobile coverage at all, known as total not-spots. The UK Government will pay for the infrastructure to be built and all four MNOs will use the masts to provide coverage to their customers. This element of the programme is due to be completed by early 2027.

Together, the Shared Rural Network will increase the parts of the UK that get a mobile service from at least one operator to 95% and from all operators to 84%, enabling rural businesses and communities to thrive.

Established in 2012, Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited (DMSL) is the sole joint venture of the UK mobile network operators, EE, Virgin Media O2, Three and Vodafone. Our vision is a disruption free digital life for people across the UK. DMSL helps make this a reality by connecting people to communications and media networks and removing barriers to access.

 For more information about DMSL visit dmsluk.com