Bromsgrove’s mobile phone coverage is “wholly inadequate” and needs urgent improvement, the Worcestershire town’s MP says.
Despite Ofcom claiming only 0.01% of Worcestershire postcodes lack access to a usable mobile signal, real-world data from a Worcestershire county council survey found 10.03% of postcodes have no usable signal.
Bradley Thomas MP, speaking in the House of Commons, called for an urgent parliamentary debate on the issue.
The switch-off of 3G networks has worsened the situation, particularly in rural areas where 3G provided better coverage over long distances, said Thomas.
He added: “Mobile phone signal across Bromsgrove and the Villages is wholly inadequate. I’m working hard to push for the improvements we need to see, and I’m grateful to the Leader of the House of Commons for agreeing to help set up a meeting with the relevant Minister so I can make the case directly to the Government.”
The Leader of the House of Commons, Lucy Powell, said it was “right to raise the issue of poor mobile phone signal,” adding: “These days, this is the fourth utility. Many of our constituents cannot conduct their everyday lives or access services, banking, benefits or pensions without a good mobile phone signal and data.”
