Culture Secretary makes Shared Rural Network statement

The Government’s Culture Secretary, Nicky Morgan MP, has made a statement on the Shared Rural Network (SRN), plans announced last week to increase mobile phone coverage across the UK.

The SRN plans aim to increase the geographic coverage of four major mobile operators to 92 per cent of the UK by 2025, which would collectively take coverage of the UK to 95 per cent, with license obligations taking effect in 2026.

Morgan said that SRN would ensure high-speed coverage for individuals and businesses, particularly across Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. She also added that the plans would address coverage “not spots” that are common in rural areas and were subject to legal agreement.

Morgan said: “Last month this Government announced five billion pounds to accelerate the roll-out of the highest speed internet across the country, including in our rural heartlands.

This money is being targeted towards the hardest to reach areas of the UK so that they won't have to wait for their homes and businesses to be connected to fast, reliable broadband.”

Expounding further on the plans, Morgan said that the operators could face fines potentially amounting to 10 per cent of their annual turnover should they fail to meet their coverage obligations by 2026.

“If they cannot demonstrate that all reasonable efforts have been made to comply with the obligations, there are penalties for the operators, with a maximum fine of up to 10% of annual turnover. Although 2025 is the target date, many consumers will feel the benefit of the programme long before its conclusion.”

Speaking for the opposition, Shadow Minister Liam Byrne MP responded that the proposals included in SRN did not go far enough. Byrne highlighted that the plans were not legally binding and said it was “too little, too late for a country that deserves far better."