Mobile phone success!

For some reason, this little dog is excited by this news...

---

Keen readers will remember that we conducted a survey last year to ask residents about their experiences with regard to mobile 'phone coverage in Radyr and Morganstown.

The survey showed that, in general, signal strength across Radyr and Morganstown can often be described as 'poor or terrible'.

We met with Ofcom's Director for Wales - and she urged us to write to Mark Drakeford, our AS and Wales' First Minister. We did so, as you can see from this letter.

​We now have a response from Lee Waters MS, the Deputy minister for Economy and Transport (see below). In his letter, Lee explains that the Welsh Government has updated the Planning Regulations around Mobile Infrastructure to allow for mobile phone masts up to 25 metres (20 metres in protected landscapes), to be built under permitted development rights. However, the decision where additional masts and subsequent coverage improvement is situated remains within the gift of mobile operators.

We had asked Mark Drakeford to review the planning laws for masts - and Lee's response suggests that it should now be easier for mobile operators to install masts to improve coverage in Radyr and Morganstown.

In addition, Lee explains that the Welsh Government is working closely with the UK Government and the mobile industry around their announced £1bn deal to improve 4G coverage across the UK by creating a Shared Rural Network (SRN).

Significantly, Lee also explains that he is in discussion with UK Government and mobile operators to understand exactly which areas across Wales will be covered by the SRN and will, when in receipt of this information, highlight the areas that we feel need attention, including areas such as Radyr and Morganstown.

This should be good news for mobile phone users across Radyr and Morganstown - and lead to better signals.

Lee also pointed out that the installation of 5G supporting technology could see improved coverage should mobile operators decide to increase their 4G and 3G services during 5G building work.

Thank you, therefore, to those who took part in our survey - and helped us collect the evidence we needed to press for a better service for our residents.

​We will continue to monitor this - and seek an update from Lee in due course.

​You can see a clearer copy of Lee's letter here.

---