Stone welcomes Government deal with mobile networks
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North MP Jamie Stone has welcomed a new deal between the UK Government and the phone industry that gives rural communities greater access to mobile coverage.
The Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross has been part of a cross-party campaign calling for a shared rural network to provide a better mobile service for those living outside of urban areas.
A new £1 billion deal means that those in rural areas of the country will benefit from mobile phone operators sharing phone masts across the UK.
It will mean mobile phone operators such as EE, O2, Three and Vodafone will together invest £530 million in a network of new and existing phone masts they would all share and which any mobile user can access, and which would be supported by £500 million investment from Government.
It will put an end to the frustration felt my many of my constituents.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Stone said: "I have said countless times that connectivity in my constituency is very patchy and not good enough.
"Can I ask the secretary of state to provide a big map of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross and to write to the Scottish Government and say could you give us a list of all the bad parts of Jamie Stone’s constituency, put them on the map and then they can be ticked off one by one?"
Nicky Morgan, secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, replied: "I’m sure my private office will be listening with great interest and I think that would be a good thing to provide in as much detail as I can and it’s something I will certainly ask the operators about."
Speaking later, Mr Stone added: "This is fantastic news. There are far too many areas of my constituency where mobile signal is poor or non-existent. It will put an end to the frustration felt my many of my constituents and help to address the rural disparities felt in the Highlands.
"I hope that areas like the Highlands benefit fully from this new scheme and I will be continuing to press the Government to ensure those living in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross get good mobile coverage."
A final agreement between Government and the mobile industry is expected early next year.
