CityA.M. reports that the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Rural Business has raised concerns about how Ofcom’s commitments for 500 new mobile masts and 90 per cent 4G geographic coverage across the UK will be monitored.

Ofcom has agreed to lower costs for mobile operators to build new masts, but MPs are worried because operators have been reluctant to build masts in rural areas due to higher costs. Julian Sturdy MP, chair of the APPG, said: ‘While Ofcom’s initial announcement truly has the potential to revolutionise mobile coverage across the countryside, it will fall by the wayside if progress is not monitored on a regular basis.

We need annual reporting to ensure that mobile operators are holding their promises to the public on delivering a 4G network which works for people wherever they live’. Mark Bridgeman, deputy president of the CLA added: ‘Given mobile operators’ previous reluctance to invest in rural areas, annual reporting on progress should be compulsory’.

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→ City A.M. - MPs urge Ofcom to hold mobile operators to account on rural 4G