We know that connectivity continues to be a huge concern for businesses across the two counties and can, at times, hamper business growth.

A 2017 survey by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) found that 70 per cent of UK firms experience areas of no mobile coverage by any operator, or partial ‘not spots’ where there is some coverage but not from all networks.

Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has supported the BCC’s No More Not Spots campaign since its launch in 2018, with the aim of ending these areas of no voice coverage where UK phone users live, work, travel and play.

Over the last 18 months, the Chamber Network has worked with businesses and universities to encourage the community to identify gaps in coverage by logging mobile not spots online at .britishchambers.org.uk/page/no-more-not-spots.

It was then a welcome announcement by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport regarding the Shared Rural Network deal worth more than £1 billion for the removal of rural not spots to address poor mobile phone coverage.

The deal, which includes EE, O2, Three and Vodafone, is set to support government in facilitating high-quality 4G coverage to 95 per cent of the country by 2025. The operators would invest in new and existing phone masks to be shared under the proposal that will be formalised next year.

Once built, this Shared Rural Network will transform coverage for millions of users, and is an important win for the Chamber’s long-standing fight against poor mobile coverage. The changes will allow for world-class digital infrastructure across the country to make sure homes and businesses stay better connected.

If you experience mobile not spots, make sure to report it to the BCC so that we can continue to identify gaps in coverage. Alternatively, tell us about it on Twitter by sharing photos and videos using the hashtag #ShareYourNotSpots.