'Not-spot' communities in Shropshire and Powys urged to sign up for 3G mobile access

Telecommunications giant Vodafone is urging rural communities to install its Sure Signal technology to bring 3G to "not-spots" - areas which suffer some little or no 3G mobile phone signal.

The move has been welcomed by two Shropshire MPs who have both spent several months campaigning for a better service for people in the countryside.

North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson said he was "delighted" that Vodafone was launching the project across the country, while Ludlow MP Philip Dunne said it was vital to improve access to mobile broadband for all.

Instead of using the usual mobile signal, the Sure Signal devices link to existing internet connections to create a 3G hotspot for phones. Officials at Vodafone encouraging those interested to talk to their MPs about having it installed.

Initiatives to improve broadband in the countryside in recent years include the connecting Shropshire project, which is being rolled out in partnership with BT.

Mr Paterson said: "I am delighted that Vodafone's Rural Open Sure Signal Programme will soon be bringing reliable 3G mobile phone coverage to 100 rural communities for the first time.

"I hope that constituents from villages in north Shropshire will apply to be amongst next 100 communities to benefit from this programme and would encourage those interested in this scheme to contact my office for further information."

Mr Dunne said he had not yet been involved directly with the Vodaphone scheme, but welcomed the help in the drive to get mobile access for everybody, no matter where they live.

He said: "I welcome any initiative giving the opportunity to improve access to next generation coverage in south Shropshire.

"There is a current government initiative to instigate coverage for 'not-spot' areas where there is no mobile phone signal at all, of which there are nine in the Ludlow constituency, so this commercial initiative is very welcome."

The scheme has received Government backing, with Culture Secretary Ed Vaizey urging people to work with their MPs to sign up to it following a successful trial.

Jeroen Hoencamp, chief executive officer of Vodafone UK, said: "This is an opportunity for people to make a real difference to their community and to be part of our commitment to close the digital divide between rural and urban areas.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the successful communities light up and start to experience the benefits mobile connectivity will bring to each and every community involved."

According to Vodafone, the trial scheme gave mobile internet to more than 10,000 people in rural communities for the first time due to the use of femtocell technology.

Instead of using the traditional microwave signal, which can be blocked by buildings and natural landscape, it uses small nodes and existing internet connections to create a high-speed mobile internet connection.

Communities have until October to register interest in joining the scheme.