Following the agreement between the industry and the Government to build the Shared Rural Network Ofcom has now published the methodology it will use to measure mobile companies’ compliance with the coverage commitments made.

As part of the Shared Rural Network agreement, mobile operators agreed to have their 900 MHz and/or 1800 MHz licences varied in the form of new coverage obligations. Each operator also agreed to coverage thresholds for each UK nation after four and six years, and to extend coverage to more premises and roads.

Commenting on the new methodology announced by Ofcom, Hamish MacLeod, Director at Mobile UK, said:

“The Shared Rural Network is an unprecedented industry-led agreement to extend rural coverage countrywide. As part of this agreement mobile operatorshave signed up to new commitments, and we welcome Ofcom’s role in measuringthese.”

Ofcom's methodology can be viewed here.