Mobile carrier O2 is working to eradicate mobile signal ‘not-spots’ by extending 4G coverage at 91,000 areas across the UK – including 400 tourist destinations.

O2 says it wanted to ensure people would have adequate coverage as the country prepared for a ‘staycation boom’ from July 4 – as coronavirus-easing lockdown measures are eased and tourism firms allowed to re-open. 

A number of National Trust and English Heritage sites have been included in the 4G signal boost including the ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey in Canterbury. 

Rural connectivity and fixing ‘not spots’ in less populated areas is a big issue and comes as part of government measures to improve national connectivity.

The firm claims to now have 4G coverage in over 18,000 regional towns, villages and hamlets – which also reduces network congestion and improves download speeds. 

UK mobile operators are close to agreeing a deal to share mobile masts in rural areas, with O2, Vodafone and 3 UK set to build and share their own masts, leaving BT to pursue its own plans, reports The Telegraph.

According to unnamed sources, the plans could be announced as early as the week of 24 February, although this timetable could be delayed as the contracts are finalised. The move by BT rivals to go it alone comes after the company wanted to charge rent for access to its masts, rather than build new shared sites. The proposed fees are understood to be more than 3-times standard industry rates, with BT insisting that the charges are ‘fair and reasonable’ when taking into account its investment.

Once source told The Telegraph that it made no sense for the other mobile operators to spend more sharing the BT network than it would cost to build and share their own masts. The operators declined to comment on the report.