EE will upgrade 76 4G sites in Wales by the end of 2021 as part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) initiative to extend coverage in rural areas.
SRN is a programme between the UK’s four mobile network operators and the UK Government to extend 4G coverage to 95% of the UK’s geography by the middle of this decade.
The upgrades announced today fall under the first phase of the Shared Rural Network, where EE will invest to significantly reduce ‘partial not-spots’ by 2024.
Upgraded masts will be available to all the main networks - EE, O2, Three and Vodafone - so over time should see coverage improve for nearly all mobile users.
Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said: “We are committed to boosting Wales’ digital infrastructure and the work between the network operators and the UK Government on the Shared Rural Network has seen major improvements in many rural areas, bringing significant benefits to individuals and businesses."
Philip Jansen, Chief Executive of BT Group, said: “Reliable connectivity is important wherever you live, work or travel, and we’re committed to improving and adding coverage to even the most remote areas.
"The investment BT has made in rural areas to date means we already have the infrastructure in place needed to extend our 4G coverage footprint further, minimising the number of new sites we need to build."
EE has extended its 4G network to cover areas with high summer demand, including Wales’ three national parks*, coastal locations and roads.
Jim Jones, CEO of North Wales Tourism, said: “Many of our businesses working in the tourism and hospitality sector are based in rural and remote locations.
"Improved mobile connectivity will bring a range of benefits to our rural communities.
"It’s imperative that there is decent connectivity to keep in touch with customers and for things like electronic payments and updating their social media platforms. This is extremely good news for them.
“And when we'll be able to safely welcome visitors back to our many attractions, improved mobile coverage in high demand locations like national parks and coastal spots will be a much-needed boost.
"We know that visitors, both domestic and international, really value having good connectivity when they're on holiday, whether that's for sharing brilliant pictures with friends and family, or for keeping up with emails and social media.”
The sites set to be upgraded:
Carrog Corwen
Wolf's Castle, Haverfordwest
Egwlyswrw, Crymych
Llannon, Carmarthenshire
Pant Mawr Llanidloes
Upper Tumble Llanelli
Usk, Monmouthshire
Llanover, Abergavenny
Pant-y-Dwr, Merthyr Tydfil
High Street, Llannerch-y-Medd, Ynys Mon
Dinas Mawddwy, Gwynedd, Parc Eryri, Snowdonia National Park
Beddgelert, Gwynedd, Parc Eryri, Snowdonia National Park
Llanddew, Brecon, Powys, Brecon Beacons National Park
Sarn, Newtown
Montgomery
Presteigne, Powys, A44
Llanelwedd Builth Wells, Powys
Llanddarog, Carmarthenshire A48
Glyn-neath, Neath Port Talbot
Narberth, Pembs
Amroth, Pembrokeshire
Eglwyswrw, Pembrokeshire, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Bronwydd, Cynwyl Elfed, Carmarthenshire
Rhydargaeau, Carmarthenshire
Llanwrda, Carmarthenshire
Llanwrthwl, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, A470
Llangammarch Wells, Powys
Dolau, Llandrindod Wells, Powys
Llandrindod Wells, Powys
Ponterwyd, Ceredigion, A44
Llanwrin, Machynlleth, Powys
Guilsfield, Welshpool, Powys
Kington, Powys
Llangrannog, Ceredigion
Brithdir, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, Snowdonia National Park
Dolbenmaen, Gwynedd, A487
Capel Curig, Conwy, Snowdonia National Park
Ty-nant, Corwen, Denbighshire
Llithfaen, Gwynedd, Llyn Peninsula
Chirk, Wrexham, A5
Aberarth, Aberaeron, Ceredigion
Church Stoke, Montgomery, Powys
Overton, Wrexham
Pentrefoelas, Conwy, A5, Snowdonia National Park
Llangwyryfon, Aberystwyth
Usk, Monmouthshire
Little Mill, Pontypool
Ammanford, Carmanthenshire
Ammanford, Carmanthenshire
Capel Dewi, Carmarthenshire
Nantgaredig, Carmarthenshire
Llannon, Llanelli
Peniel, Carmarthenshire
Bancyfelin, Carmarthenshire, A40
Monmouth, A40, Wye Valley
Llangadog, Carmarthenshire, A40
St Clears, Carmarthenshire
Llandinam, Powys, A470
Llandderfel, Bethel, Gwynedd
Ponterwyd, Ceredigion
Treuddyn Mold
Locations already upgraded since 2020 include:
· Llangernyw
· The Kymin (Monmouthsire) – Wye Valley – A40
· Wern-y-Cwrt, Raglan (Monmouthshire) – A40
· Bwlch (Powys) – A40, Brecon Beacons National Park
· Llanddarog, Porthyrhyd (Carmarthenshire) – A48
· Llannon (Carmarthenshire)
· Ystradgynlais, Cwm-Twrch Uchaf (Powys) – Swansea Valley
· Pembroke (Pembrokeshire)
