Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP, Angus B MacNeil is writing to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Home Office regarding the Emergency Services Network (ESN), about the lack of progress in bringing about improvements to mobile phone coverage.

The Home Office is leading the programme to deliver the Emergency Services Network which aims to deliver improved voice and data service in the UK. In May, the National Audit Office criticised the Home Office’s management of this programme which has been delayed and is over budget.

Commenting Angus MacNeil MP said:

“Improvements to mobile connectivity is an issue which I have been repeatedly pushing for and it was expected that the ESN would bring about positive change and increase 4G coverage in remote areas.  However, while improvements have been made, progress is slow.

“This is an Emergency Service Network but at times it feels like a ‘pot-luck/patch-up’ network.  It is also concerning that when outages occur on these sites, it can take days or weeks to get the fault repaired.  This is not good enough and mobile provider EE, who has the contract to deliver ESN must improve the service they are providing.”

ENDS