O2, Three, and Vodafone agree to build 222 new masts by 2024.
A deal between Government and MNOs to improve mobile coverage: In March 2020, the UK Government and the country’s four mobile operators (EE, O2, Three, Vodafone) agreed to deploy a Shared Rural Network (SRN) to improve mobile coverage. The MNOs committed to reaching 95% of UK landmass by 2025.
O2, Three, and Vodafone begin the first phase: On 27 January 2021, O2, Three, and Vodafone announced a deal to deliver the first stage of the SRN. The MNOs will build and share 222 masts to boost 4G coverage by 2024. 124 new sites will be built in Scotland, 33 in Wales, 11 in Northern Ireland, and 54 in England, with each operator leading on 74 of the new sites.
What will be the impact of the deal? These new masts are expected to bring the proportion of the UK landmass where all mobile networks provide 4G services up from 67% to 84%, and virtually eliminate Partial Not Spots (PNSs) – areas where at least one, but not all four networks provide 4G. Coverage is expected to rise to 74% of the landmass in Scotland, from the 42% it is today.
