The Devon communities of Bridgerule, Postbridge and Thorverton are now receiving 3G coverage through Vodafone’s Rural Open Sure Signal (ROSS) programme, it was announced today.
- Use of innovative technology brings Vodafone 3G coverage to Bridgerule, Postbridge and Thorverton
- Thorverton ROSS units now supporting over 4,700 customer sessions* a day
The Devon communities of Bridgerule, Postbridge and Thorverton are now receiving 3G coverage through Vodafone’s Rural Open Sure Signal (ROSS) programme, it was announced today. They join three other Devon communities – Chillaton, Lifton and Newton St Cyres – on the nationwide initiative to provide mobile access to areas which traditional coverage struggles to reach.
Launched in July 2014, the ROSS programme uses small ‘femtocell’ boxes which are placed on buildings throughout rural communities. 84 communities are now live across the country from the Shetland Islands to Cornwall and from the mountains of Snowdonia to the Norfolk coast. Following its success, Vodafone recently introduced the Community Indoor Sure Signal initiative which uses similar ‘femtocell’ technology to bring reliable 3G indoor coverage to rural community hubs**.
The news comes just weeks after one of the world’s leading independent mobile network testing companies, P3 Connect, reported Vodafone was the number one network for voice in the UK, meaning more calls get through and are connected faster, all with great speech quality***.
Mel Stride, MP for Central Devon, commented: “Access to a good quality mobile phone signal or the mobile internet is something that most people take for granted. But for many living in rural communities such as Thorverton, their daily lives are blighted by poor connectivity. I am delighted that Vodafone has chosen the village to be part of its ROSS programme so its residents will now have access to a decent 3G mobile internet connection.”
Geoffrey Cox, MP for Torridge and West Devon, added: “I’m delighted that Vodafone will be providing mobile broadband coverage to the communities of Postbridge and Bridgerule. Mobile connectivity is an essential service for communities and businesses across the UK in order to thrive in today’s digital world and support local economies. I am very pleased that the community and businesses here will be able to benefit from 3G coverage provided by Vodafone’s Rural Open Sure Signal Programme.”
Steve Cox, from Dartmoor Forest Parish Council, commented: “Thanks to the installation of the Vodafone Rural Open signal at Postbridge, visitors and residents are now able to access mobile phone and data services deep in the heart of Dartmoor, an area with previously poor mobile phone reception. This is especially helpful for the many thousands of people who visit the National Park Visitors Centre each year.”
John Spivey, Village Champion for Thorverton added: “The village of Thorverton would like to thank Vodafone for all their effort in providing an upgraded modern system for mobile phone reception. It is only with initiatives like this that rural villages can continue to keep pace with modern technological development which benefit both local commercial enterprises and visitors to our thriving community.”
Jorge Fernandes, Vodafone UK’s Chief Technology Officer, commented: “I am delighted that these three communities have joined our Rural Open Sure Signal programme. Although P3 Connect has recognised the major investment we’ve already made by reporting that we are the number one network for voice across the UK, we continue to be committed to improving coverage, even in remote locations which can be very difficult to reach using traditional methods.”
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Notes to editors
* Figure based on combination of voice and data traffic on 14 October 2016
** For more information on how to apply visit www.vodafone.uk/CISS100
*** For the full P3 Connect report visit www.p3-group.com/en/P3-connect-Mobile-Benchmark-UK-2016
