Stuart Anderson MP has called on the government to accelerate work to ensure all of South Shropshire receives better mobile coverage as soon as possible. It follows a survey on cellular network coverage that Stuart launched late last year. Responding to Stuart's survey, more than half said their mobile data connection is “very unreliable.”
In August last year, Streetwave surveyed mobile phone coverage in Shropshire, based on actual on-street measurements. It allows people to see the signal strength that EE, Vodafone, Three and O2 offer within a 30m radius outside of their homes/businesses. To check connection strength by postcode through the RSPAWIR survey visit: https://app.streetwave.co/coverage-checker/60.
Apart from switching provider, other ways to improve mobile phone reception include:
- updating your phone to a newer handset
- ensuring that you keep your device’s software is up-to-date
For more advice, please visit communication regulator Ofcom's webpage here.
Over the past year, Shropshire Council has been collaborating with Atlas Tower Group to bring forward neutral host lattice masts in rural not-spots. The first site to gain planning approval is at land at Frodesley Hall Farm in Dorrington. Once the new mast has been built, ATG will rent the space to Mobile Network Operators to improve indoor/outdoor mobile phone coverage. Atlas Tower Group is also working with Parish Councils to install new mobile phone infrastructure in rural Shropshire (and elsewhere). ATG have already had online meetings with a number of parishes in South Shropshire.
"Many people have contacted me about poor mobile coverage across South Shropshire. I know just how frustrating this is. I want everyone to benefit from the great opportunities that better mobile connectivity can bring. So, I launched a survey to identify the areas that are worst affected. I would like to thank everyone that had their say. The results show that much more work needs to be done to achieve universal 4G coverage. I have now called on Ministers to accelerate work to ensure all of South Shropshire receives better mobile coverage by the end of the year. I have also shared the results with the Council and local partners so that they can coordinate future interventions. I will continue to raise the importance of rural connectivity, seeking investment from government to benefit areas still in need".
