Pockets of rural Norfolk that struggle to get a mobile phone signal or use mobile broadband are being given the chance to get better connected through a national programme. If you are a business who would benefit from a better mobile signal you need to let your parish council know.
Only 100 parishes across the UK will be selected to take part in Vodafone’s Open Sure Signal Programme, which will benefit those with a Vodafone contract. With competition likely to be fierce, Norfolk County Council is helping parishes to determine whether they will be in a strong position to be accepted onto the programme by creating a simple checklist which they can complete before deciding whether to go through the more lengthy formal application with Vodafone.
Those rural communities that are successful in being included onto the programme by Vodafone would have Open Sure Signal units installed in locations in and around the village which would provide an open 3G network. Any device in range that uses 3G – including mobile phones and tablets – would then automatically connect to it, meaning people would be able to make calls and get online where they couldn’t previously.
The deadline for applications to the Open Sure Signal Programme is 14 October and there can be only one application per community. Anyone interested in finding out more about the programme can visit www.vodafone.co.uk/rural or should speak to their parish council if you want to see your parish being put forward as part of this programme.
