Improving 5G Coverage in West Berkshire’s Rural Communities

Last week, I met with VodafoneThree to discuss their 5G rollout plans for West Berkshire. 

I visited one of their MOCN (multi-operator core network) sites in Newbury, which improves coverage by allowing customers across different networks to connect to the strongest available signal in the area. 

Since merging last June, VodafoneThree have committed to investing £11 billion to upgrade its networks, with the aim of reaching 99% of the UK population with 5G. This includes plans to roll out several more MOCN sites across the Newbury constituency over the next five years. 

While this is positive progress, I know from many of you that rural connectivity remains a real and ongoing problem. I’ve been contacted by residents and businesses across villages such as Lambourn and Kintbury, who continue to experience unreliable mobile signal, making it harder to run businesses, work from home, access services, or even make a simple phone call. 

I’ve been raising these concerns directly and speaking with a range of groups behind the scenes about how we properly close this gap and ensure rural areas aren’t left behind yet again. Reliable mobile coverage isn’t a luxury; it’s essential infrastructure. 

Improving rural connectivity is a key priority, and I will continue pushing to ensure every community in Newbury and West Berkshire has access to a fast, stable mobile signal. 

Watch this space.