A LONG-RUNNING campaign to secure better mobile phone coverage for West Worcestershire is paying off with the news that one of the major networks has added six new masts locally to extend 5G coverage.
The recently merged Vodafone and Three mobile phone operator has also upgraded eighteen more masts deliver better coverage for customers of two networks.
West Worcestershire MP Dame Harriett Baldwin has repeatedly lobbied all of the mobile phone operators to deliver better coverage for customers and she has raised local people’s concerns with Ofcom to encourage mobile phone providers to meet their obligations.
The MP met with VodafoneThree in Parliament (Tuesday, October 20) to hear its post-merger plans.
Dame Harriett said: “It is such a relief that a large operator is investing in upgrades after my many years of campaigning. Having a decent mobile signal is essential and I regularly receive complaints from constituents who feel their areas have been left behind.
“As a regular rail user and someone who uses navigation services when driving around rural West Worcestershire, I know how frustrating it is when patchy mobile reception blights working on a train or disrupts car journeys.”
Thomas Sheppard, Government Affairs Manager at VodafoneThree, added: “It was great to catch up with Dame Harriett to discuss VodafoneThree’s exciting investment plans for West Worcestershire, with significant improvements to 5G coverage in the coming months.
“Our upgrades mean customers’ devices will automatically connect to the best coverage available, whether that’s on the Vodafone or Three network, effectively giving them access to two networks at no extra cost. We will be sure to keep Harriett up to date with developments.”