Rachel has stepped her efforts to secure mobile connectivity improvements following the results of her survey.
Earlier this year, Rachel carried out a mobile connectivity survey to gather residents’ views on what the mobile signal is like where they live as part of one of her 2023 priorities to improve mobile connectivity in the constituency.
The survey found that just 25% of those who completed the survey said their mobile coverage was ‘very good’ or ‘good.’
And, of those who said they have contacted their provider with concerns about their connection, 75% of residents said they received a ‘very poor’ or ‘poor’ response from their provider.
As part of Rachel’s work on this issue, she’s found that poor mobile connectivity in parts of the constituency has left residents with no internet access when their Wi-Fi goes down. Not only is this frustrating for residents, but the loss of connection could be life-threatening in an emergency for VoIP users who may lose access to emergency services during a power cut.
Poor mobile connectivity can also have an impact on the rural economy with some businesses unable to connect their card readers to take payments.
As a result, Rachel has now written to Ofcom to ask what powers the regulator has to compel mobile network operators to provide a minimum standard of service and what efforts are underway to ensure rural communities can be confident they will have a secure connection at all times.
Rachel said:
“I know how frustrating poor mobile coverage can be, and no one should be left behind when it comes to mobile connectivity.
“That’s why, at the beginning of the year, I said improving mobile connectivity in the constituency was one of my priorities and I’ve been working extensively on this issue to deliver on the promise I’ve made.
“Mobile network operators need to do more to ensure all parts of my constituency have access to good quality mobile coverage, and the evidence I’ve collected clearly demonstrates that improvements need to be made.”
