A billion-pound project will ensure that 97 per cent of Wales will have mobile phone coverage from at least one network provider.

The UK-wide Shared Rural Network programme is aiming to boost broadband speeds and mobile signals, eradicating all but a few not-spots, across the country.

Forecasts from the project between the UK Government and the four main mobile network operators show that 97 per cent of Mid and West Wales – which covers from the Llyn Peninsula down to Carmarthenshire, will have 4G mobile coverage from at least one operator, up from 86 per cent at present.

A total of 78 per cent of the region will have 4G coverage from all four mobile operators under the scheme, up from 51 per cent.

The SRN will see EE, O2, Three and Vodafone build and upgrade phone masts to end partial ‘not-spot’ areas where only some, but not all, MNOs provide 4G coverage. These not-spots currently prevent many rural customers from accessing differing MNO contracts unless they are signed up with a specific provider who has a mast within the area.

The UK Government have also announced that 234,000 rural Welsh properties stuck with slow broadband speeds will be in scope for gigabit upgrades under the Government’s £5 billion Project Gigabit scheme.

Welcoming the announcement, Craig Williams, MP for Montgomeryshire, said: “The Government’s Shared Rural Network programme is fantastic news for Montgomeryshire and Mid Wales, and is a major step forwarding in eradicating mobile not-spots within the region once and for all.”