Countryside Alliance welcomes plan to boost mobile reception in national parks

The Mobile Operators Association and National Parks England have agreed to work together to improve mobile phone reception in national parks. The accord sets out a shared objective of improving signal coverage but in ways that will not adversely affect the character and beauty of our national parks.

Countryside Alliance head of policy Sarah Lee said: "National parks are treasured by the public for their natural beauty and iconic landscapes, but they are also living and working environments.

"The Countryside Alliance welcomes this accord between National Parks England and the Mobile Operators Association and hopes it leads to better phone coverage in these environmentally sensitive areas in the near future.

"Good digital communications are essential in a modern world and this accord could improve coverage for the communities and businesses based in national parks and for the millions of tourists which visit. For far too long rural communities have been treated like second class citizens when it comes to mobile and broadband connectivity and it is time this digital divide is closed, so let's hope this accord ensures better coverage where it is needed most. "

For more information, contact Countryside Alliance head of media Charlotte Cooper on 0207 840 9220 or [email protected]

Notes for journalists

• There are 10 national parks in England


• The joint accord between National Parks England and the Mobile Operators Association can be found here:http://www.nationalparksengland.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/468811/National-Parks-England-Mobile-Operators-Association-Joint-Telecommunications-Accord-2014.pdf