Vodafone Rural Open Sure Signal to provide 3G connection to 100 rural communities
Vodafone has successfully implemented its first Rural Open Sure Signal programme in the idyllic Cotswold town of Minchinhampton in Gloucestershire. The programme aims to bring 3G connectivity to rural locations utilising Sure Signal femtocell technology with Open Sure Signal units installed in key locations around the town to boost reception for Vodafone customers.
Geoffery Clifton-Brown, MP, Cotswolds said: “I’m delighted that Minchinhampton is the first successful applicant for Vodafone’s Rural Open Sure Signal programme. This scheme will be a huge benefit to the local community, helping businesses to connect with their customers and allowing people to stay in touch with their family and friends.”
Vodafone opened applications to their programme after announcing a plan to combat rural so-called “not-spots”. The company claims that they received hundreds of applications from all over UK, and has selected 30 communities for the programme, with aspirations of connecting up to 100 communities within a year. This latest development is part of a £1billion investment to radically improve the network and services offered by 2014.
Jeroen Hoencamp, chief executive of Vodafone UK said: “Mobile connectivity is an essential service for communities and businesses to thrive in today’s digital world and support local economies. I am delighted to announce Minchinhampton as the first of the 100 communities we will light up. As part of the Rural Open Sure Signal programme, we are committed to investing in our network, using innovative technologies such as Sure Signal to provide access even in remote locations where it is otherwise almost impossible to reach. I am excited to see the transformation for Minchinhampton and every other community which has been successful for this pioneering programme.”
The other communities selected for the scheme to date:
- St. Andrews (Orkney)
- Isle of Luing (Argyll)
- Seil & Easdale (Argyll)
- Killeter (Castlederg, Co Tyrone)
- Pomeroy (Co Tyrone)
- Bryneglwys (Denbigshire)
- Corris (Gwynedd)
- Hillington (Norfolk)
- High Kelling (Norfolk)
- Throverton (Norfolk)
- Upper Sheringham (Norfolk)
- Bridgerule (Devon)
- Shobrooke (Devon)
- Borrowdale (Cumbria)
- Chesil Bank (Dorset)
- Coln St Aldwyns (Gloucestershire)
- Easton (Itchen Valley, Hampshire)
- Bramdean (Hampshire)
- Moylegrove (Pembrokeshire)
- Blackerstone (Berwickshire)
- Broad Chalk (Wiltshire)
- Letcombe Regis (Oxfordshire)
- Childrey (Oxfordshire)
- Newborough (Staffordshire)
- Spring Grove (Somerset)
- Middleton-in-Teesdale (Durham)
- Blakeney (Norfolk)
- Caldbeck (Cumbria)
- East Garston (Berkshire)
