EE has built or upgraded nearly 30 4G sites across Wales since December 2021, as part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) initiative to extend coverage in rural areas across the UK.
The investment constitutes the latest expansion of EE’s 4G coverage across remote parts of the UK. In total across the UK, EE has upgraded 1,362 sites since the SRN deal was signed in March 2020, bringing improved connectivity to each UK nation.
The Shared Rural Network – an agreement between the UK’s four mobile network operators and UK Government – is aiming to extend 4G coverage to 95% of the UK’s geography by 2025.
EE plans to deliver 71 more 4G upgrades to rural areas in Wales by 2024. Across the UK, a total of around 900 more upgrades are planned, with each UK nation receiving additional coverage.
EE has added more than 420 square miles of new EE 4G coverage across the UK in 2022, extending its lead as the UK’s largest 4G network.
Philip Jansen, Chief Executive of BT Group, said:
“BT is committed to ensuring that even the most remote areas of the country are connected. Despite a challenging economic environment, we’re continuing to invest in rural infrastructure to achieve that. EE’s 4G has expanded by 500 square miles over the past year and we continue to be the sole provider of mobile services in many areas of the UK.”
According to police force area, the 29 rural areas of Wales that have received 4G upgrades from EE via the SRN in the last 12 months include:
- 17 locations in Dyfed Powys
- 6 locations in North Wales
- 4 locations in Gwent
- 2 locations in the South Wales police force area
Areas include:
- Maentwrog, Gwynedd (A487 and Eryri National Park)
- Llanidloes, Powys (and A470)
- Castellnewydd Emlyn, Carmarthenshire
- Newport, Pembrokeshire (and A487)
- Llangwm, Monmouthshire (and A449)
- Llanfair Caereinion, Powys (and A458)
The 71 further rural areas that are to have 4G upgrades from EE by 2024 include:
- 27 locations in Dyfed Powys
- 25 locations in North Wales
- 7 locations in Gwent
- 12 locations in the South Wales police force area
Areas include:
- St Clears, Carmarthenshire (A40 and A477)
- A44, Llangurig, Powys
- Benllech, Ynys Mon / Anglesey
- Beddgelert, Gwynedd (and Eryri National Park)
- Glyn Ceiriog, Wrecsam
- Brithdir, Gwynedd (and A470)
- Usk, Monmouthshire (and A449)
- Llwyn-onn Reservoir, Merthyr Tydfil (A470 and Brecon Beacons National Park)
Driving Home for Christmas
Many of the upgrades have helped improve coverage throughout the UK’s road network, a key benefit of the Shared Rural Network programme. Whether using the motorway network, or driving along key ‘A’ roads, those travelling to see loved ones over Christmas will find the widest 4G coverage yet, helping to keep kids entertained with streaming movies and festive hits.
Roads getting better coverage from EE under the programme include the A470, A487, A489 and A4212 in Wales, M1, M4 and M6 in England, A838, A85 and A90 in Scotland and A1 and A24 in Northern Ireland.
