MP calls for rural roaming to tackle mobile blackspots

Local MP Tim Farron has joined a cross-party group of 75 MPs in writing to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to ask the Government to make it a requirement that network operators enable roaming between providers to improve mobile coverage in rural areas.

The Government has pledged to ensure that there is mobile coverage for 95% of the UK by 2022, but this will still leave many areas without a workable signal.

While Ofcom has agreed that 'co-operation of operators' would improve mobile coverage, the MPs are urging the Secretary of State to take it one step further and make it a requirement for network providers to deliver it.

Tim said: "With more and more people and businesses relying on mobile phones, the standard of reception is becoming more and more important.

"That's why it's vital that the Government make it a requirement that our most rural areas are properly covered by network providers."