Clwyd West Assembly Member Darren Millar is calling on the Welsh Government to take urgent action to work with operators to address issues in the planning system which are holding Wales back in terms of 4G mobile reception.
Latest research by Which? has analysed Ofcom’s Connected Nations data on mobile coverage delivered by the four main providers and found that in Wales, only the constituency of Central Cardiff had 100 per cent 4G coverage from all four operators.
The research also focused on town-based constituencies that are most poorly served by their mobile coverage, of which Clwyd West is one, with just 47% geographic coverage.
More broadly, Which? found that only 67% of the UK’s geography has 4G coverage from all four operators, while 8% does not have any 4G mobile coverage at all.
Darren said:
“Which? are calling on UK Government to set out a roadmap for achieving their target of 95% coverage by 2022 and would welcome the support of Welsh Government in sounding this call.
“Mobile connectivity plays a vital role in supporting the economy and keeping communities in touch and it is therefore extremely concerning, and totally unacceptable, that so many people across Wales are finding it difficult to get a reliable mobile connection. Digital infrastructure is transforming our way of life and the way we do business - we can not afford to let Wales lag behind.”