Stuart Anderson MP has called on the government to accelerate work to ensure all of South Shropshire receives better mobile and broadband coverage as soon as possible. It follows a survey on cellular network coverage that Stuart launched late last year. Responding to Stuart's survey, more than half said their mobile data connection is “very unreliable.”
Mobile Coverage:
"Many people have contacted me about poor mobile coverage across South Shropshire. I know just how frustrating this is. I want everyone to benefit from the great opportunities that better mobile connectivity can bring. So, I launched a survey to identify the areas that are worst affected. I would like to thank everyone that had their say. The results show that much more work needs to be done to achieve universal 4G coverage. I have now called on Ministers to accelerate work to ensure all of South Shropshire receives better mobile coverage by the end of the year. I have also shared the results with the Council and local partners so that they can coordinate future interventions. I will continue to raise the importance of rural connectivity, seeking investment from government to benefit areas still in need".
In August 2024, Streetwave surveyed mobile phone coverage in Shropshire, based on actual on-street measurements. It allows people to see the signal strength that EE, Vodafone, Three and O2 offer within a 30m radius outside of their homes/businesses. To check connection strength by postcode through the RSPAWIR survey visit: https://app.streetwave.co/coverage-checker/60.
Apart from switching provider, other ways to improve mobile phone reception include:
- updating your phone to a newer handset
- ensuring that you keep your device’s software is up-to-date
For more advice, please visit communication regulator Ofcom's webpage here.
Rural Not-Spots:
A booster kit loan scheme, including antennas and routers, has been launched to help residents and businesses suffering from poor mobile signal in rural ‘not spots’ such as Shropshire’s Batch Valley get connected. Anyone interested in borrowing the kit should contact the project team at Warwickshire County Council via email to: [email protected]
Over the past year, Shropshire Council has also been collaborating with Atlas Tower Group to bring forward neutral host lattice masts in rural not-spots.
The first site to gain planning approval is at land at Frodesley Hall Farm in Dorrington. Once the new mast has been put built, ATG will rent the space to Mobile Network Operators to improve indoor/outdoor mobile phone coverage.
Atlas Tower Group is also working with Parish Councils to install new mobile phone infrastructure in rural Shropshire (and elsewhere). ATG have already had online meetings with a number of parishes in South Shropshire.
The planning application for a new mobile phone mast serving Hopton Wafers was approved on Wednesday, 3rd September 2025. The fact that approval was granted within one month of being received by Shropshire Council is testament to the way that Atlas Tower Group is working closely with all key stakeholders prior to application.
Broadband Coverage:
The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS) provides a micro-grant of up to £1,500 for residents and up to £3,500 for businesses towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable broadband through local community broadband projects.
In Shropshire, Openreach aim to build a new network across rural communities like Clee Hill, Little Brampton, Lydbury North, Cressage, Claverley, Morville, Norton, Uppington, Quatt and Worfield. Residents are urged to check their eligibility and pledge their interest in the vouchers that are being funded as part of Project Gigabit.
This is a £5 billion fund which was launched in 2021 to roll out gigabit-capable broadband to premises across the UK that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans so that rural communities are not left behind.
Residents can check if they qualify and pledge their voucher on the Connect My Community website. Once enough people pledge and validate their vouchers, Openreach engineers will start the build. This can take up to 12-18 months.
Residents need to ensure they validate their vouchers with the Government so that Openreach can confirm that building work can get underway.
Following the termination of the previous Project Gigabit contract for Mid West Shropshire, BDUK has agreed a contract change with Openreach to include affected premises within the existing Project Gigabit contract for Shropshire.
This change brings approximately 4,800 additional premises into scope, with delivery scheduled between now and 2030. Openreach will now undertake surveying and planning in the area to validate the final coverage design.
Residents may also wish to periodically check Openreach’s Fibre Checker for updates and to speak with their current internet provider to ensure they are on the fastest available service in the meantime.
