Accelerated 4G and broadband services planned for North Wales

Plans to improve mobile phone coverage ‘not spots’ in North Wales have been revealed to provide a boost for local businesses.

The North Wales Economic Ambition Board has approved an outline business case to address connectivity challenges in the region.

The scheme forms part of the £1bn North Wales Growth Deal and is aimed at strengthening the area’s capability to develop future technologies and attract investment.

While industry investment in 4G and more recently 5G has grown in recent years, the board says there remain significant gaps in coverage and network capacity.

Officials also say poor mobile connectivity can cause frustration for residents and businesses, creating a barrier to economic growth.

The 4G+ project aims to address this by improving the quality of mobile connectivity at key commercial sites and on transport networks, as well as supporting the migration to 5G.

Mark Pritchard, leader of Wrexham Council and lead member for digital connectivity on the North Wales Ambition Board, has welcomed the scheme’s approval.

He said: “The impact of mobile connectivity on the economy is well established and shouldn’t be underestimated.

“Our city and town centres, business parks and communities all need good mobile connectivity, and that demand will continue to grow, as it is across the rest of the country.

“Approval of this penultimate stage before delivery is an important milestone.

“As well as supporting national and regional economic strategies, improving mobile connectivity and capacity has to be part of our efforts to increase local GVA and create jobs.”

The project forms part of the North Wales Growth Deal’s digital programme, which aims to improve the availability of mobile voice and data services, as well as full fibre broadband.

Business cases are developed for each project within the growth deal and the decision means the project can now move to the final phase in the process to secure funding.