EE extends 4G coverage to over 500 rural areas

EE is investing heavily to reduce ‘partial not spots’ by 2024

EE has set out plans to improve its 4G coverage in more than 500 areas this year as the operator aims to improve connectivity in rural areas.

It comes as part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme, which aims to extend 4G coverage to 95 per cent of the UK by the middle of the decade.

Since the SRN deal was signed in March last year, EE has upgraded its 4G network in 110 areas.

A further 469 upgrades will be completed by the end of 2021, with 333 in England, 132 in Scotland, 76 in Wales and 38 in Northern Ireland. Other operators can share access to the sites as part of the SRN scheme.

EE has targeted locations with high summer demand, including all 15 of Great Britain’s National Parks, coastal locations and roads, with its extended 4G coverage.

BT Group chief executive Philip Jansen 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.

“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 targeted locations with high summer demand, including all 15 of Great Britain’s National Parks, coastal locations and roads, with its extended 4G coverage.