New research published by Ofcom shows the extent of mobile phone coverage and customer satisfaction in rural parts of Scotland.
The research shows that the percentage of failed calls in rural Scotland varies from more than 15% to less than 4%, depending on which provider is used.
This means that even when mobile users think they have signal and try to make a call, around 1 in 6 still fail and is compared to urban areas which have a failed call rate of only 2%.
The Ofcom report also shows that a third of rural mobile phone users are dissatisfied with their mobile network, compared to just over 20% of people in urban areas who were dissatisfied.
Murdo Fraser MSP said;
“Residents in rural parts of Perth and Kinross, Fife and Stirling are all too aware of the problems we have regarding poor mobile connectivity. You can travel for miles without even a single bar of signal, cutting you off totally when you need to get in contact with someone.
“In February, mobile phone users in Callander were left stranded for weeks without a signal, an experience all too common for rural residents.
“This research by Ofcom shows that even when people have signal, they are far more likely to have a failed call than in more urban areas.
“It also shows that there is a big difference between providers, so I would urge mobile phone users to shop around and change provider if they discover they can get better reception.
“In 21st century Scotland the least we should expect is to have adequate mobile phone coverage, without it rural communities and businesses will continue to be left behind.”