This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/radical-reforms-could-end-mobile-phone-blackspots-in-rural-parts-of-the-uk-9553673.html
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Radical reforms could end mobile phone 'blackspots' in rural parts of the UK | Radical reforms could end mobile phone 'blackspots' in rural parts of the UK |
(35 minutes later) | |
Plans to eradicate mobile signal ‘blackspots’ and introduce national roaming have been drawn up by the government. | Plans to eradicate mobile signal ‘blackspots’ and introduce national roaming have been drawn up by the government. |
Mobile phone operates could be able to share their networks in rural parts of the country where signal is poor or unavailable. | Mobile phone operates could be able to share their networks in rural parts of the country where signal is poor or unavailable. |
Culture Secretary Sajid Javid is understood to be pushing for a system that would allow customers to switch freely to alternative networks - known as 'roaming' - if their own is unavailable. | |
However, mobile phone companies have expressed reluctance over the plans, as they have funded the costs of building the masts themselves and do not want rivals to use them. | |
Whitehall is said to have already spent £150 million on boosting coverage in rural areas but was looking to do more in response to EU plans to bring in free roaming from 2016. | |
The plans have the backing of a number of senior MPs who are said to have become increasingly frustrated by poor signals in their rural constituencies. | The plans have the backing of a number of senior MPs who are said to have become increasingly frustrated by poor signals in their rural constituencies. |
David Heath, MP for Somerton and Frome, said he was forced to “squat against the sink” to take phone calls from his office. | David Heath, MP for Somerton and Frome, said he was forced to “squat against the sink” to take phone calls from his office. |
And Prime Minister David Cameron is said to be tired of losing calls in his Witney constituency. | And Prime Minister David Cameron is said to be tired of losing calls in his Witney constituency. |
A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: “Of course we want to look at what more can be done in areas with poor coverage. The Government has made clear it wants to ensure the UK has world-class mobile phone coverage as part of our investment in infrastructure for the long term economic plan. | A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: “Of course we want to look at what more can be done in areas with poor coverage. The Government has made clear it wants to ensure the UK has world-class mobile phone coverage as part of our investment in infrastructure for the long term economic plan. |
“We are investing up to £150 million to improve mobile coverage in areas where there is currently no coverage from any of the mobile network operators.” |
Previous version
1
Next version