How VodafoneThree is Boosting Rural Coverage with 4G Sites

Vodafone and Three customers across hundreds of rural and remote locations in the UK are now accessing improved mobile coverage following upgrades to 100 sites under the Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme.

The upgrades deliver stronger 4G signals and better-quality voice calls in areas where mobile connectivity has previously lagged behind, with the milestone marking a new phase in the government-backed element of the SRN programme. 

All four major UK mobile operators now deliver 4G from these upgraded sites, closing coverage gaps in areas with limited infrastructure. The sites form part of a wider effort to eliminate rural not-spots, where customers previously had little or no signal.

Joint programme to close the rural coverage gap

The Shared Rural Network is a collaboration between the mobile industry, Ofcom and the UK Government, and was set up to increase 4G coverage for all operators in rural areas.

Launched in 2019, the initiative is designed to reduce the divide between urban and rural mobile experiences, with long-term goals of enhancing regional connectivity and supporting economic development.

In June 2020, Vodafone confirmed that Devauden in the Wye Valley was the first community to benefit from the SRN rollout. That location marked the start of a continuing effort to expand high-quality mobile access to areas that had been underserved.

The SRN programme is one of several infrastructure projects underway by VodafoneThree aimed at improving network reach, particularly in hard-to-reach locations where commercial investment is less viable.

Better coverage, same cost

As well as bringing 4G coverage to more locations, VodafoneThree has also rolled out network sharing upgrades allowing customers to automatically connect to the best available signal. 

These updates ensure users can stay connected whether their phone picks up the Vodafone or Three network – without any extra cost.

The strategy is helping to eliminate weak signal zones by using existing infrastructure more efficiently, offering a more consistent experience to users in rural and coastal areas.

Andrea Donà, Chief Network Officer at VodafoneThree, says: “The SRN initiative has been a game changer for rural connectivity since we went live with the first location back in 2020 and it remains an important programme for us, supporting our commitment to bring strong and reliable coverage to all our customers.

"Alongside our programmes, such as our recent site upgrades and our ongoing investment in the rollout of 5G Standalone, we are ensuring everyone has access to the connectivity they rely on – whatever their postcode – while also ultimately supercharging rural communities across the UK.”

Long-term commitment to 5G coverage

VodafoneThree’s wider network investment also includes a national pledge to deliver 5G Standalone (5GSA) to 99% of the UK population by 2030. This target rises to 99.96% by 2034, indicating a long-term strategy to future-proof mobile infrastructure across the country.

5GSA is the next stage in mobile evolution, using dedicated equipment and networks rather than relying on 4G systems. 

For rural areas, the upgrade will support services that depend on high-speed, low-latency connections, such as smart farming, digital healthcare and connected transport.

These ongoing projects reflect VodafoneThree’s focus on closing the digital divide and providing consistent mobile service regardless of geography. With each SRN site bringing full 4G coverage from all operators, the partnership is expanding reliable mobile access into places that have previously fallen outside commercial coverage plans.

The upgrades demonstrate how a mix of public funding, industry collaboration and long-term planning is reshaping mobile coverage across the UK, connecting more people and communities to the services they depend on.