Isles should benefit from better mobile coverage

Orkney and Shetland consumers and businesses are set to benefit from a landmark announcement to improve mobile coverage and tackle so-called mobile ‘not-spots’, according to Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael.

The UK Government has secured a binding agreement with the mobile networks EE, O2, Three and Vodafone to halve the number of areas with only partial signal and reduce complete ‘not-spots’ by almost two-thirds. This will support the UK Government’s existing £150 million programme to take mobile coverage to the areas of the UK that have no coverage at all.

Commenting, Mr Carmichael said: “For too long the Isles have been at the back of the queue for investment in mobile phone coverage and new developments in telecommunications. This is particularly true for some of the most remote areas in Orkney and Shetland.

“I will be making the case to ensure that our remote communities are not excluded from these vital upgrades. Reliable mobile coverage and 3G is vital to support our growing economy and this legally binding agreement will help deliver the mobile phone coverage we need and deserve.

“Along with billions of pounds of investment from the UK Government in expanding broadband infrastructure, we are now making progress on getting the Northern Isles better connected.”