BROMSGROVE’S MP Bradley Thomas is set for a meeting with government ministers to discuss what he describes as ‘wholly inadequate’ phone signal across his constituency.
In the House of Commons, Bradley Thomas MP recently questioned the Leader of the House on the ‘wholly inadequate’ phone signal across Bromsgrove.
He asked for a parliamentary debate on the issue and for a meeting with the relevant minister to discuss the improvements that urgently need to be made. The Minister of State for Data Protection and Telecoms is Sir Chris Bryant MP.
It follows research commissioned by the previous administration on Worcestershire County Council, conducted using the UK’s largest street-level mobile data collection survey, which shows mobile coverage in the County is up to 1,000 times worse than Ofcom and mobile operator data suggests.
Official Ofcom data claims that only 0.01 per cent of Worcestershire postcodes lack access to a usable mobile signal. However, real-world measurements from the survey found that 10.03 per cent have no usable signal.
As Mr Thomas mentioned in the House of Commons, the switch-off of 3G networks has worsened the situation, particularly in rural areas where 3G provided better coverage over long distances.
Bradley said: “Mobile phone signal across Bromsgrove is wholly inadequate.
“I’m working hard to push for the improvements we need to see, and I’m grateful to the Leader of the House of Commons for agreeing to help set-up a meeting with the relevant Minister so I can make the case directly to the Government.”
In responding to his question, the Leader of the House of Commons, Lucy Powell, said Mr Thomas was right to raise issue and said he was sorry to hear of the situation in Bromsgrove.
Lucy Powell added: “He is right: these days, this is the fourth utility. Many of our constituents cannot conduct their everyday lives or access services, banking, benefits or pensions without a good mobile phone signal and data.
“I will happily help him secure a response from the Minister and a meeting.”
