Leicestershire to receive expanded 4G coverage
As part of the programme, a total of 579 locations across the UK will be upgraded this year.
Pictured above: EE will extend 4G coverage in rural areas as part of the SRN
Submitted by BT Group
Leicestershire residents are set to receive increased 4G coverage as part of a programme seeking to improve rural connectivity.
EE will expand coverage in 26 locations across the East Midlands in 2021,
including sites in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, and Rutland.
The programme is part of the the Shared Rural Network (SRN) initiative, which will see nearly thirty 4G sites upgraded in the East Midlands.
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 by the middle of this decade.
The upgrades announced fall under the first phase of the Shared Rural
Network, which will see EE invest to significantly reduce 'partial not-spots' by 2024.
EE has already upgraded its 4G network in 25 locations across England since the SRN deal was signed in March 2020.
Six sites have already been upgraded in the East Midlands in the past 12 months, with 26 in total to be completed by the end of the year.
Matt Warman, Minister for Digital Infrastructure, said: "I'm delighted to see the great strides EE is making to boost 4G services in countryside communities as part of the SRN agreement, which was brokered and is part funded by the government.
"We're investing half a billion pounds in this landmark deal to extend mobile coverage to 95% of the UK, and it will help us build back better from the pandemic."
Locations to be upgraded in 2021 include:
Derbyshire
- Ashover, North East Derbyshire, Derbyshire
- Brampton, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
- Pilsley, Derbyshire Dales, Derbyshire
Leicestershire
- Allexton, Harborough, Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
- A153, Haltham, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire
- Addlethorpe, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire
- Mareham le Fen, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire
- Roughton, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire
- Wragby, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire
- Broughton, North Lincolnshire
- Moulton Seas End, South Holland, Spalding, Lincolnshire
- Bitchfield and Bassingthorpe, South Kesteven, Lincolnshire
- B1176, Little Bytham, South Kesteven, Lincolnshire
- Careby Aunby and Holywell, South Kesteven, Lincolnshire
- Stoke Rochford, South Kesteven, Lincolnshire
- Swayfield, South Kesteven, Lincolnshire
- Witham on the Hill, South Kesteven, Lincolnshire
- Bullington, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire
- Market Rasen, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire
Northamptonshire
- B645, Hargrave, Northamptonshire
- King’s Cliffe, Northamptonshire
- Yardley Hastings, Northamptonshire
- M1, Quinton, Northamptonshire
Nottinghamshire
- Barnby Moor, Bassetlaw, Nottinghamshire
- Rufford CP, Newark and Sherwood, Nottinghamshire
- Tickencote, Rutland
Locations already upgraded since 2020 include:
- Fulletby, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire
- New Brumby, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire
- Stoke Rochford, South Kesteven, Lincolnshire
- A6116, Brigstock, Northamptonshire
- A43, Syresham, Northamptonshire
- Great Oakley, Corby, Northamptonshire
- Syresham, Northamptonshire
- Clumber and Hardwick, Bassetlaw, Nottinghamshire
Across the UK, a total of 579 locations will benefit from the extended EE 4G coverage by the end of 2021 - 333 in England, 132 in Scotland, 76 in Wales, and 38 in Northern Ireland.
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."
All sites have been made available for other operators to share under the SRN scheme.
Philip said: "There are many places where EE is the only provider with 4G coverage today, offering the other operators an opportunity to share our existing sites to plug gaps in their networks and improve mobile performance for everyone."
EE has extended its 4G network to cover areas with high summer demand, including all 15 of Great Britain's national parks, coastal locations, and roads.
Coverage in National Parks has increased by more than 200km², the equivalent of more than 40,000 football fields, and EE's 4G network now covers 94% of roads in Great Britain.
Mike McKinley, Chair of National Parks England, said: "The extension and introduction of 4G coverage across more rural areas is welcome news for national park communities and visitors, and it will help meet increased demand for fast, reliable connectivity.
"Digital connectivity is a vital part of modern life, and this news will also benefit the residents of national parks, many of whom currently live in isolated areas with no access to mobile coverage.
EE has extended its 4G network to cover areas with high summer demand, including beauty spots, national parks, coastal locations, and roads.
Mike said: "As we look ahead to summer 2021, national parks are anticipating a large influx of visitors.
"These visitors will now have access to better and more reliable mobile coverage, giving them the opportunity to use important tools such as 'SaferLakes', which helps visitors enjoy these special landscapes while ensuring they are protected for future generations."
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