Councillors say they are determined to find solutions for the problem of poor mobile phone connectivity in rural areas.

West Oxfordshire district councillors unanimously backed a motion to address the longstanding issue of inadequate mobile phone signal in villages across the district.

Conservative councillor Alaa Al-Yousuf, who proposed the motion at a full council meeting, said: "In today's digital age, reliable connectivity is not a luxury; it's a necessity.

"We are determined to ensure that rural communities in West Oxfordshire have access to the same level of mobile phone service as our more urban counterparts and that is why we wanted to bring this motion to full council."

The council will engage with Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited and, as a first step, invite it to send senior representatives to brief councillors and residents at a public meeting at the earliest opportunity. 

Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited (DMSL) manages and runs the The Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme which was developed by the UK’s four mobile network operators - Vodafone, EE, O2 and Three  - with support from the Government.

Councillor Liam Walker, who seconded the motion, said: "We should be aiming to create a more connected and resilient rural West Oxfordshire by addressing this critical issue that so many rural residents rightly get frustrated about.

"With all the technology available we shouldn't be having mobile signal issues in the year 2023 and we hope this motion will help to refocus the issue."