Residents and businesses in North Yorkshire’s remote communities are now enjoying faster and more reliable mobile internet thanks to new government-backed 4G upgrades under the UK’s £1.3 billion Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme.
The latest improvements have gone live in the market town of Hawes and nearby villages including Hardraw, Appersett, Snaizeholme, and Sedbusk — delivering multi-network coverage for the first time to some of England’s most scenic but historically underserved areas.
Previously, mobile coverage in these locations was limited to EE and emergency services. The upgrades now allow full connectivity from Three, Vodafone, and Virgin Media O2, significantly boosting mobile access for residents, visitors, and businesses.
The North Yorkshire rollouts form part of a wider SRN push, which has already brought better coverage to other rural areas including the North York Moors National Park, Helmsley, Wombleton, and Pockley.
Digital inclusion campaigners have welcomed the progress. Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, said improved rural mobile access is essential to narrowing the UK’s digital divide, especially as more services shift online.
“To fully participate in society — whether in healthcare, education, or work — reliable connectivity is a necessity, not a luxury,” Anderson said. “It’s excellent to see the 4G rollout reaching into Yorkshire’s rural heartlands.”
Anderson highlighted that around 19 million people across the UK still lack adequate digital access, including young people without the devices, skills, or internet they need. Her organisation recently expanded its Tech4Youth scheme to the Yorkshire Coast, providing free laptops to local youths — a programme she says is greatly enhanced by national infrastructure upgrades like the SRN.
According to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, a total of 58 4G mast upgrades have now been completed under the SRN, which has already met its 2024 target of ensuring 95% of the UK has 4G coverage from at least one operator. Further upgrades are planned through 2027, including £184 million in investment to convert existing EE-only masts for use by all major providers.
Minister for Telecoms Chris Bryant MP said the rollout is vital to boosting connectivity, driving regional growth, and supporting the government’s broader “Plan for Change.”
“The Shared Rural Network means better access for locals, more reliable mobile signal for tourists and faster emergency response in rural areas,” Bryant said. “It’s a step forward for digital equality and economic resilience in North Yorkshire and beyond.”
The SRN is a joint initiative between the UK government and mobile network operators, designed to ensure rural communities benefit from the same digital opportunities as urban centres.
