Cambridgeshire: Better Phone Signals

19 March 2013, 10:58 | Updated: 19 March 2013, 11:09

Cambridgeshire County Council has outlined plans to improve mobile phone signals across the area.

The Council says reception is 'poor or non-existent' in some parts of Cambridgeshire, especially in rural areas and along some major road and rail routes.

Councillors are now calling for improved phone signals, to complement their recent agreement with BT, which is going to install improved broadband across the county during the next few years.

The Council is now in talks with the government and phone companies 'to develop opportunities to improve mobile coverage for Cambridgeshire.'

It's claimed better network coverage would boost the economy and support local businesses, as well as helping people who are vulnerable or isolated and making it easier to access public services.

Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council Nick Clarke, said: "We recognise that good mobile communications are essential to the growth of the economy in a digital world where there are more mobile phones than there are people. 

Using a mobile phone is part of everyday life for the majority of people and can be a life saver in certain circumstances. 

It is appalling that in the 21st Century there are still 'not spots' with no coverage at all in some of our rural areas and commuters are unable to get a consistent signal on the London to Cambridge line. 

The Connecting Cambridgeshire project will not only be delivering better broadband but also working with the Government to improve mobile coverage to help keep our businesses and rural communities connected."