Trade outlets including Computer Weekly have reported this week that the Government has published its transparency notice for the Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme, including a £500m investment to improve mobile connectivity in coverage ‘not-spots’.

The Government claims that the funding means it is ‘confident’ that combined coverage across mobile network operators will be delivered to 95 per cent of the UK by the end of 2025. The measure has been developed in compliance with the UK’s subsidy obligations under the UK-EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement, including the publication of a transparency notice. However, it’s not clear whether we will need to wait for the European Commission to respond to this publication before going ahead with the subsidy, which ‘could take years’, notes telecoms.com. The report notes that the way this is handled on both sides of the Channel will ‘set a precedent’ for the new trading relationship.

Full article:

Computer Weekly.com - UK government confirms financial support for Shared Rural Network programme

telecoms.com - UK government forced to jump through EU hoops over notspot initiative

Government Opportunities - Government breakthrough on £500 million support package to boost rural mobile coverage