Shropshire phone network upgrade vow by O2

It follows the launch of a new mapping service that shows it is falling behind its rivals in its internet service to the county.

The investment is a boost to campaigners calling for better mobile phone and internet coverage in Shropshire to help homes and businesses. Ofcom today unveiled a new online survey that shows the mobile blackspots in our region.

Work is taking place to bring quicker internet speeds to Forden and Meifod as part of the programme being carried out by Superfast Cymru.

Julie James, the Welsh Assembly's deputy minister for skills and technology, said: "It's great news that the first residents and businesses in Forden and Meifod are now able to receive superfast broadband.

"It has the ability to change the way that we live our lives."

She added: "From accessing entertainment and communicating through social media to how businesses interact with customers and how we use public services.

"The Welsh Government is committed to seeing Wales become a truly digital nation and the Superfast Cymru programme is vital in making that vision a reality. The programme also highlights the impact European funding is having on infrastructure in Wales."

Superfast Cymru, a partnership between the Welsh Government, BT, UK Government and the European Regional Development Fund is the largest of its kind in the UK.

Households and businesses in the area which want to take advantage of the benefits of fast fibre broadband should contact an internet service provider (ISP) of their choice to place an order.

It shows that O2, owned by Spanish company Telefonica, has the weakest provision for superfast 4G internet signal on mobile phones.

At present, only Market Drayton receives strong 4G signal, although the company says it has also rolled out the service in Oswestry.

Now it is planning to move on to a number of other towns and villages around the county as part of a £3 billion network roll-out.

It comes as the Shropshire Star continues to press for upgrades to the county's mobile phone network as part of the Get Us Connected campaign.

"As part of our five-year £3 billion network modernisation programme, we're continuing to improve coverage on our 2G, 3G and 4G services," said Telefonica spokeswoman Sarah Taylor.

"We have already rolled out 4G services in Oswestry and Market Drayton.

"We are currently in the process of upgrading the O2 network in Telford, Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, Newport, Shifnal, Bayston Hill, Broseley and Albrighton and we expect to complete that work and roll out 4G services in the next few months."

Ludlow and the Shropshire Hills are particularly badly served by all the major providers, the new mapping service reveals, and Ms Taylor added that the rural parts of south Shropshire are also being taken into consideration.

However, North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson questioned the accuracy of the data and insisted that the signal was actually getting worse.

"Mobile phones and broadband are the key things which enable Shropshire to get over its centuries-old disadvantage of being in a remote area," he said.

"With really good coverage you could run a business as effectively in Shropshire as in the centre of Manchester, but it is deteriorating badly."

• Star comment: More to do on phone networks