Cumbrian councils have embarked on an ambitious journey to address pervasive mobile coverage issues in the region, signaling a pivotal moment for both local residents and businesses. Their groundbreaking initiative involves a partnership between Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council to harness up to £1 million from the Connecting Cumbria Gainshare fund. This financial boost is intended specifically for an innovative project aiming to unify and enhance mobile services across Cumbria, particularly focusing on areas plagued by inadequate network accessibility. The endeavor requires collaboration with Oxfordshire County Council, a strategic move given their successful digital infrastructure program, which may serve as a valuable blueprint for Cumbria’s efforts. With a meeting recently held at Carlisle’s Civic Centre, the joint executive committee began outlining the multifaceted plan poised to revolutionize the mobile connectivity landscape in Cumbria.
Challenges from Existing Infrastructure
In Cumbria, the scarcity of strong mobile networks remains a significant barrier, impacting areas especially along major transport routes like the M6 corridor. This challenge is magnified as the phase-out of older 3G and 2G networks continues, heightening the urgency to bolster 4G services to prevent further erosion of connectivity. Alarmingly, the impending cessation of the Public Switch Telephone Network in two years will exacerbate potential gaps, leaving communities vulnerable during power outages without landline phones. These scenarios underscore the need for immediate enhancements to mobile networks to guarantee reliable communication channels and sustain resilience in digital connections. Current strategies by the UK Government have led to notable improvements via networks like the Emergency Services Network and Shared Rural Network. While outdoor 4G coverage has seen advancement since 2020 in Cumbria, substantial coverage disparities still prevail, presenting a formidable challenge for councils determined to fortify communications infrastructure.
Identifying and Addressing Specific Localities
To combat existing mobile connectivity gaps, the councils have pinpointed two critical localities—Borrowdale in Cumberland and Great Asby in Westmorland & Furness—for targeted upgrades. By spotlighting these regions, the councils aim to create pathways that consistently address underserved communities, ensuring equitable access to reliable mobile services. Oxfordshire County Council’s exemplary approach, backed by a hefty £10.7 million gainshare allocation dedicated to digital infrastructure, offers a well-defined strategy for Cumbria to emulate. This collaborative approach yields a robust framework for Cumbria to refine their methods, laying the groundwork to achieve uniform mobile service enhancement throughout the county. As part of the broader initiative unofficially dubbed the Mobile Digital Twin program, thorough data gathering will be key. Leveraging performance metrics, crowdsourced insights, and official Ofcom statistics, this program aims to develop a highly accurate “heat map” revealing distinct mobile service deficiencies, enabling precise interventions to rectify connectivity limitations.
Exploring Strategic Partnerships
Within the Mobile Digital Twin program, strategic support by Oxfordshire County Council and compliance with the UK Subsidy Control Regime are critical components. These elements highlight the program’s commitment to lawful and viable intervention options, emphasizing areas with pronounced mobile service gaps. Crafting business cases to advocate for public-sector-driven improvements is a priority, ensuring mobile connectivity enhancements align with both community needs and regulatory standards. The multifaceted council discussions revealed varied viewpoints and highlighted distinctive needs across different Cumbrian communities. Council members underscored the integral role digital connectivity plays in daily life, from erratic data connections in Windermere to potential match funding by private entities. Jonathan Harris, director of the Connecting Cumbria program, indicated that while direct match funding couldn’t materialize, fostering environments conducive to commercial investments remained plausible and encouraging.
The Imperative of Collaboration and Planning
In Cumbria, the lack of robust mobile networks is a major issue, especially in regions along key transport pathways like the M6 corridor. This problem worsens with the ongoing phase-out of older 3G and 2G networks, making it crucial to enhance 4G services and prevent further connectivity degradation. Alarmingly, the impending shutdown of the Public Switch Telephone Network in two years could widen the gaps, leaving communities at risk during power outages when landline phones won’t be available. These situations highlight the urgent need to improve mobile networks to ensure reliable communication and maintain resilience in digital connections. UK Government strategies have already led to significant enhancements through initiatives such as the Emergency Services Network and Shared Rural Network. Since 2020, outdoor 4G coverage in Cumbria has improved, yet notable coverage gaps persist. These disparities pose a serious challenge for local councils aiming to strengthen communication infrastructure in the region.
