Network providers called on to improve phone signal

Steffan Aquarone says network operators and providers need to hear "loud and clear" how residents are affected

A council is calling on mobile phone networks and providers to improve signal and connectivity in rural areas.

Last year, Norfolk County Council installed monitoring devices across its bin lorry fleet to gather data on signal strength and download speeds.

North Norfolk's Liberal Democrat MP Steffan Aquarone said residents were "victims of our rurality... network coverage is no longer 'nice to have' ... it is as important as electricity, it is as important as water".

North Norfolk District Council has decided to try to set up a meeting with network operators and providers to press for better signal.

Following Storm Darragh in December, poor mobile phone coverage was highlighted after people living in rural villages were left without any power or means of contacting people for several days.

In March, residents of Sharrington, near Holt, won their fight to keep a BT telephone box in service claiming it was a "lifeline" when there was no mobile phone signal.

Aqaurone said it was important to provide better phone signal strength in areas between towns and villages, and network providers needed to hear "loud and clear" that it was essential for health and other emergencies.

He said: "It's when we're out and about and we need to make that business call or emergency call... historically when government has set targets for the mobile operators they have been based upon chimney pots and not land coverage.

"Yet again we are the victims of our rurality."

Steffan Aquarone said poor phone signal was an issue he has been campaigning on since he was first elected to Parliament in 2017

Jane James, Conservative county councillor and cabinet member for corporate services and innovation, said data collected about poor phone signal gave a "closer real world experience" on what residents are experiencing.

"It's moving really positively but, frankly, I would like it to go quicker," she said.

"This is a key piece of our infrastructure in this country and will continue to be so, and we need to make sure it happens well."

Following a North Norfolk District Council overview and scrutiny committee meeting on Wednesday, it was agreed the authority would meet with network operators and providers.

John Toye, Liberal Democrat portfolio holder for sustainable growth at the district council, said: "There are so many vital applications and activities that rely on good connectivity - having rural defibrillators are not much use when you can't phone to get the access code."