Shared Rural Network: How a £1.3bn mobile connectivity programme is transforming digital Britain

A quiet but profound transformation is underway in the UK’s rural and remote communities. The government-backed Shared Rural Network (SRN) — a £1.3 billion programme launched to eliminate mobile “not-spots” — is reshaping how people live, work and do business across the countryside.

Launched in 2020, the SRN aims to deliver 95% 4G coverage across the UK from at least one operator by the end of 2025, and 84% from all four mobile network providers (EE, Vodafone, Three and VMO2) by 2027.

As of summer 2025, the programme has already hit its 95% single-operator milestone, with over 58 rural mast upgrades completed this year alone. These upgrades are now enabling people in hard-to-reach communities to access reliable mobile internet — many for the first time.

The SRN is addressing years of digital inequality in places like the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, Snowdonia, Cumbria, Dorset, and the Yorkshire Dales, where geography and commercial constraints have long left rural businesses and households with patchy or non-existent signal.

In these areas, better mobile connectivity is no longer just about convenience — it’s about economic survival, public safety, and access to essential services.

“The SRN is enabling farmers to use agri-tech, holiday parks to manage bookings on the move, and local tradespeople to process digital payments without relying on patchy WiFi,” said a source from Mobile UK, the industry body representing UK mobile operators.

“It’s a game-changer for local resilience, and it’s boosting productivity in places often forgotten by the digital economy.”

Stronger rural connectivity supports more than just private enterprise. It enhances emergency services, enabling faster and more reliable coordination in hard-to-reach locations, especially for mountain rescue teams, paramedics, and rural police forces.

The SRN also facilitates access to digital healthcare and remote education — services that became lifelines during the COVID-19 pandemic and remain vital today for isolated communities.

Meanwhile, rural tourism — a major economic driver in regions like Cornwall, Devon, and the Lake District — is getting a boost as visitors benefit from improved connectivity for navigation, mobile payments and digital itineraries.

The SRN rollout is being welcomed by digital inclusion advocates, who see the programme as a vital weapon in the fight against digital poverty. An estimated 19 million people in the UK still face some form of digital exclusion, whether due to lack of coverage, devices, or skills.

“Rural areas are often disproportionately affected by poor connectivity, which cuts them off from opportunities and services many take for granted,” said Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance. “The Shared Rural Network is not just infrastructure—it’s empowerment.”

What sets the SRN apart is its unique structure: a joint initiative between the UK government and mobile network operators, co-funded to ensure commercially unviable areas aren’t left behind.

The programme requires all operators to share infrastructure, meaning a mast upgraded for one provider must also be accessible to the others where technically feasible. This reduces duplication, maximises efficiency, and helps meet environmental targets.

The government is also investing £184 million to upgrade Extended Area Service (EAS) masts — which previously served only EE — to enable multi-operator use, further strengthening coverage.

While the SRN has made significant progress, there remain challenges. Planning and permissions in remote locations can be slow, local opposition to new infrastructure still arises, and extreme weather can delay deployments.

Nonetheless, the government and industry remain committed to the programme’s long-term rollout, with final targets due for completion by 2027.

Chris Bryant MP, Minister for Telecoms, called the SRN “a cornerstone of our Plan for Change,” saying it unlocks the economic potential of rural Britain while ensuring that no community is left behind in the digital age.

As the UK transitions toward 5G and beyond, programmes like the Shared Rural Network offer a template for inclusive infrastructure — combining public ambition, private innovation, and shared national purpose.

With digital connectivity now central to healthcare, education, business and democracy, the SRN is more than just a network upgrade — it’s the foundation of a fairer, smarter, and more connected UK.