\tMobile operator 3 UK called on Ofcom to ditch a plan designed to tackle poor coverage in rural areas of the country, stating the regulator’s proposal was too expensive and lacked ambition.<\/p>\n
Speaking to The Sunday Times, 3 UK\u2019s COO Graham Baxter took aim at Ofcom\u2019s plan [1] to remove \u201cpartial not-spots\u201d in the UK\u2019s countryside, areas which are not covered by any of the country\u2019s four major operators.<\/p>\n
As a way to incentivise investment, Ofcom in 2018 said it planned to offer mobile operators a discount in a spectrum auction planned for 2020, if they make binding coverage commitments.<\/p>\n
Ofcom said two operators could receive discounts of up to \u00a3400 million on the cost of spectrum licences by committing to meet three targets within four years; providing good outdoor data coverage to at least 90 per cent of the UK\u2019s land mass; improve mobile coverage for 140,000 buildings; and install 500 new masts in rural areas.<\/p>\n
Single rural network
\nBaxter, however, slammed the plan for lacking ambition, while hitting out at the expense incurred by the operator to execute it.<\/p>\n
Instead, he said the regulator should push an initiative for a single rural network, which would see the country\u2019s operators jointly invest in a shared infrastructure.<\/p>\n
In addition, he urged authorities to relax planning permission rules for taller mobile masts in rural areas of the country.<\/p>\n
Baxter also argued Ofcom\u2019s plan would only benefit two mobile operators, but a single network would be beneficial for all four of the country\u2019s operators with regards to coverage.<\/p>\n[1] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/featured-content\/top-three\/ofcom-tables-cut-price-spectrum-deal-for-rural-pledges\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Mobile operator 3 UK called on Ofcom to ditch a plan designed to tackle poor …<\/p>\n
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