05 January 2026
The UK Government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) announced tonight that 100 government-funded rural 4G mast upgrades have been completed across England, Wales, and Scotland as part of the industry-led £1 billion Shared Rural Network (SRN) initiative. 
This milestone marks significant progress in expanding mobile coverage to underserved areas, with more upgrades scheduled to continue through 2027.
The SRN project, initially supported by £501 million in public funding complemented by £532 million from private operators, involves sharing existing mast infrastructure and constructing new sites based on demand. The goal is to improve connectivity in rural regions, with targets set for coverage from at least one operator reaching 98% in England, 91% in Scotland, 95% in Wales, and 98% in Northern Ireland. When considering coverage from all mobile network operators (MNOs), the figures are slightly lower, with 90% in England, 74% in Scotland, 80% in Wales, and 85% in Northern Ireland.
Remarkably, the project has already surpassed its initial first target by ensuring that 96% of the UK’s landmass now has access to 4G from at least one operator—achieved a year ahead of schedule. However, comprehensive coverage across all MNOs remains at around 89-90%. The current focus is on reducing the number of “Total Not-Spot” areas by January 2027.
Most of the early work was driven by private investment from major mobile operators, but in recent years, government funding has played an increasing role, supporting both mast upgrades and new site construction. Since late May 2025, an additional 50 mast upgrades have been completed, bringing the total to 100 across the UK. Some of these upgrades involve extending existing mast networks, such as those used for the 4G Emergency Services Network (ESN), which previously served only EE and emergency calls; now, all operators can utilize these sites.
The 100 upgraded masts are expected to deliver outdoor 4G coverage over more than 4,019 square kilometers—an area roughly 2.5 times the size of Greater London—covering roads, rural homes, businesses, and 10 national parks across the UK. Over 400 businesses are already benefiting from the improved coverage, which is expected to boost economic activity and tourism in rural areas.
Telecoms Minister Liz Lloyd highlighted the importance of these developments, saying, “More of Britain’s rural communities are finally getting the connection they’ve been waiting for as we deck the hills with 4G coverage. These 100 upgraded masts mean businesses can ring up sales, families can video call their loved ones this Christmas without buffering, and our beautiful rural areas can attract investment, jobs, and tourism they need to thrive. Whether you’re in the Welsh valleys, the Scottish Highlands, or England’s national parks—rural communities are finally getting the connections they deserve, boosting opportunity and growth as we drive forward plans for national renewal.”
Looking ahead, an additional 85 government-funded mast upgrades are planned across Britain before 2027, including up to 44 new publicly funded masts in Scotland, with the first already operational in the Western Isles. The announcement also included a detailed list of the 100 masts completed to date, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance rural connectivity nationwide.
