County council leader pushes for better mobile phone coverage
Wednesday, 17th December 2014.
As part of its drive to support economic growth and improved infrastructure, Suffolk County Council’s leader Mark Bee is pushing for mobile network providers to deliver greater coverage across the county.
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s council debate, Cllr Bee said: “With some of the worst mobile network coverage in the UK, there is real frustration felt by residents and businesses in Suffolk.
"We increasingly rely on mobile communications for business and personal use and it is about time we address the issue of inconsistent coverage.
“As part of a county-wide forum, we will be working with members of the farming community, local MPs and business representatives to really push for the four major network providers to identify suitable locations for new masts to provide a reliable mobile network, regardless of which provider you use.
“This is a logical and necessary extension to the continuing roll-out of high speed fibre broadband currently taking place across the county. A stronger 3G and 4G provision will enable businesses to make the most of technology, enabling their staff to work in locations that may currently provide patchy reception at best.”
A Suffolk-wide forum will be led by county council representatives to push the campaign forward.
The forum plans to approach the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to raise this issue and host meetings with businesses and members of the community to hear their views.
Meanwhile, the campaign is already attracting support from the business community.
"There is no doubt that mobile phone coverage across Suffolk leaves a great deal to be desired," said John Dugmore, the chief executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.
"In a modern, forward-thinking economy it is vital that businesses, large and small, can communicate via their mobile phones as they travel around the county on a day to day basis.
"The business community has and will continue to support any moves to improve the coverage and urging network providers to address this problem."
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s council debate, Cllr Bee said: “With some of the worst mobile network coverage in the UK, there is real frustration felt by residents and businesses in Suffolk.
"We increasingly rely on mobile communications for business and personal use and it is about time we address the issue of inconsistent coverage.
“As part of a county-wide forum, we will be working with members of the farming community, local MPs and business representatives to really push for the four major network providers to identify suitable locations for new masts to provide a reliable mobile network, regardless of which provider you use.
“This is a logical and necessary extension to the continuing roll-out of high speed fibre broadband currently taking place across the county. A stronger 3G and 4G provision will enable businesses to make the most of technology, enabling their staff to work in locations that may currently provide patchy reception at best.”
A Suffolk-wide forum will be led by county council representatives to push the campaign forward.
The forum plans to approach the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to raise this issue and host meetings with businesses and members of the community to hear their views.
Meanwhile, the campaign is already attracting support from the business community.
"There is no doubt that mobile phone coverage across Suffolk leaves a great deal to be desired," said John Dugmore, the chief executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.
"In a modern, forward-thinking economy it is vital that businesses, large and small, can communicate via their mobile phones as they travel around the county on a day to day basis.
"The business community has and will continue to support any moves to improve the coverage and urging network providers to address this problem."
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