PERSHORE’S MP Harriett Baldwin has backed a consultation into ways phone operators could free up their networks and boost mobile signals for in rural areas.
The backing comes after the Government announced plans to consult on proposals to allow mobile phone customers to ‘roam’ onto other networks to help them get better signals in poor reception areas.
Mrs Baldwin has been looking into the matter after receiving complaints from residents in areas in Pershore affected regularly by poor signal on their mobile devices.
More than 15 per cent of the county suffers from low coverage with a much higher percentage in rural parts of Worcestershire and the MP has raised residents’ problems with Culture Secretary Sajid Javid and network bosses.
Following last week’s story the Observer has received complaints from residents in both North and South Littleton who are frustrated with their lack of phone signal.
“I’m not a technical expert, but when I travel overseas I seem to get more of a signal than in Martley, Upton or Pershore,” she said.
“I was not surprised to see how much of the county is getting poor coverage and we need to make sure that in this day and age, mobile phone service is universal.
“As more homes and businesses rely on mobiles rather than landlines, it seems right that the Government is acting to ensure that people aren’t let down by their own phone operator. Please do write to me about ‘not spots’.
“I encourage people to download the Rootmetrics application which maps and reports phone signals. This will help to make the case to Government that we need this ‘roaming’ measure sooner rather than later.”
Visit www.rootmetrics.com/uk/products/coveragemap-mobile-app to download the Rootmetrics application.
