Mobile phone roaming - Alliance statement

The Government has announced plans to force mobile phone companies to cooperate to cut reception black holes. Under the new plans users would be able to swap onto networks with better reception in areas where their phone provider has a poor service.

Countryside Alliance head of policy, Sarah Lee, said: "We are pleased that the Government is looking at new ways to boost mobile phone reception in rural 'not spots'.

We suggested mobile phone roaming as a way to improve reception in some parts of the UK last year, however, if we are to improve coverage in rural areas then perhaps we first need to look at the regulatory and planning environment, coupled with better information for the consumer on where 'not spots' are located.

"We have long been concerned that the mobile coverage maps provided by operators are far too optimistic and not realistic, which is why we supported technology solutions such as crowd sourcing coverage data through RootMetrics, which give consumers a voice and a genuine choice.

"The Government must create an environment that gives greater flexibility for mobile phone and broadband infrastructure to be built, upgraded and maintained which would be a big boost to the industry and improve coverage in rural areas.

"But most important is the Government's £150m Mobile Phone Infrastructure plan, to provide mobile phone reception to areas where there is currently no coverage from any provider. Despite the deadline for funding for regional projects being the end of 2015 few are yet off the ground. We believe the Government could make the biggest difference to the issue of poor mobile phone coverage by pushing this project forward."