4G mast upgrades in Hawes, North Yorkshire, have gone live, improving connectivity across the Yorkshire Dales as part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme upgrades.

It’s the latest upgrade in the government’s £1.3 billion backed initiative to improve rural mobile coverage, with the North Yorkshire work providing greater mobile internet access in Hardraw, Appersett, Snaizeholme and Sedbusk.

It builds on SRN’s existing delivery efforts in Yorkshire, bringing 4G connectivity from all mobile network operators to areas of the North York Moors National Park, Helmsley, Nawton, Harome, Wombleton, Great Edstone, Great Habton, Pockley, Cold Kirby, Scawton, Scackleton, Cawton, Little Barugh, Old Byland, and North Grimston.

Previously, masts only connected EE customers and 999 calls, but the upgrades to existing infrastructure now mean that residents and businesses can access services from Three, VMO2 and Vodafone.

Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, commented: “The ongoing rollout of national connectivity initiatives such as the Shared Rural Network programme is vital to keeping people connected in the digital age, providing faster, more reliable internet access for people to use essential digital services.

To fully participate in modern society, with services such as education, healthcare and banking shifting online, connectivity is a necessity, rather than a luxury, so it’s excellent to see the 4G rollout reaching Yorkshire.”

Some 19 million across the UK still lack sufficient digital access, from broadband connectivity to electronic devices to digital skills. This is a particular barrier among young people, who risk falling behind in schools, missing out on job opportunities, and being excluded from the basic online services that many of us take for granted.”

She added: “As part of combating digital exclusion in the region, we recently expanded our Tech4Youth scheme to the Yorkshire Coast, providing free laptops to young people who require connectivity support.

These local initiatives, in tandem with national programmes such as SRN, can have a transformational impact on lives across the country and make sure that no one is left behind in the digital age.”

The UK government revealed that a total of 58 rural 4G mast upgrades have gone live as part of the SRN programme.

The project has already hit the government’s 95% coverage target from at least one operator across the UK in 2024, but the rollout plans will continue until 2027.

Telecoms Minister, Chris Bryant MP, said: “The rollout of the Shared Rural Network means walkers can navigate more easily and access information on the go, while local businesses can benefit from being better connected, and emergency services can provide support more quickly when needed.

This is connectivity that breaks down digital barriers and unlocks economic potential in Yorkshire’s world-class beauty, all of which boosts our Plan for Change.”

The UK government is also investing £184m to upgrade Extended Area Service (EAS) masts, which are currently only available from EE, to provide coverage from all UK mobile operators.