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While 5G gets most of the headlines these days, some areas are still lacking for even 4G coverage, but the Yorkshire Dales is now a bit less lacking than it was, as the UK government has announced that 58 mast upgrades have gone live, bringing 4G to more parts of this region.
Specifically, these upgrades have been made around the North Yorkshire town of Hawes, and they will also benefit Hardraw, Appersett, Snaizeholme, and Sedbusk.
These upgrades are part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) project, which combines government funding with private investments from the UK’s mobile networks, in a bid to improve rural coverage by both sharing existing masts between networks in certain areas, and building new shared masts.
Minister for Telecoms, Chris Bryant MP, said: “Visitors to the Dales this Yorkshire Day will now enjoy better mobile signal thanks to the Government’s continued drive to boost connectivity in rural areas.
The rollout of the Shared Rural Network means walkers can navigate more easily and access information on the go, while local businesses can benefit from being better connected, and emergency services can provide support more quickly when needed. This is connectivity that breaks down digital barriers and unlocks economic potential in Yorkshire’s world-class beauty spots – all of which boosts our Plan for Change.”
Successfully boosting coverage
The SRN project appears to be going well, with 95% of the UK’s landmass now having 4G coverage from at least one network. But there’s still work to be done, with the SRN project aiming to achieve 90% coverage on every network by the beginning of 2027 – and these 58 mast upgrades are another step in that direction.
In total, the SRN has now brought coverage from all networks to an additional 34,000 square kilometres since the project started in 2020, with an additional 280,000 premises and 16,000km of roads also receiving 4G as a result of the project.
Looking at Yorkshire specifically, the SRN project has now brought 4G on all networks not just to the Hawes area, but also to Helmsley, Nawton, Harome, Wombleton, Nunnington, Great Edstone, Great Habton, Pockley, Cold Kirby, Scawton, Scackleton, Cawton, Little Barugh, Old Byland, North Grimston, and parts of the North York Moors National Park.
