Arqiva wins government contract to improve rural mobile connectivity

£150m tender awarded to Arqiva to improve mobile coverage for up to 60,000 premises

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has announced that communications infrastructure provider Arqiva has won the government tender to deliver The Mobile Infrastructure Project (MIP), designed to improve mobile connectivity in rural Britain.

£150m in funding allocated to the project will be used to develop better mobile coverage for up to 60,000 homes and businesses, along with some sections of major roads. Arqiva will be entirely responsible for the rollout, including network planning and site acquisition as well as the deployment of site infrastructure and installation of equipment.

MIP forms part of the government's attempts to improve the UK's digital potential, with the aim of creating jobs in rural areas in an effort to boost the economy.

"Arqiva's appointment today is great news for rural communities throughout the UK, who stand to benefit enormously from this £150m project to improve mobile phone coverage," said Culture Minister Ed Vaizey.

"Good mobile connectivity is becoming increasingly important and it is crucial that businesses and individuals are not left struggling with poor and intermittent coverage."

Nicolas Ott, managing director of government, mobile and enterprise at Arqiva, said that the firm is excited to be working with the government on the project.

"By investing in mobile infrastructure, the government can help bridge the social and technological divides created in areas where commercial service is not economical, and we're proud to be part of this process," he said.

The government has also attempted to boost Britain's digital potential with a £150m ‘super-connected cities' initiative.