The UK’s four mobile network operators have finalised a landmark deal to improve mobile phone coverage in rural Wales.

The deal sets legal requirements in place on the EE, O2, Three and Vodafone networks to tackle poor signal issues in so-called ‘partial not-spots’.

The UK-wide agreement will see £5billion invested in improving infrastructure to enhance coverage in areas covered by some but not all of the four mobile networks.

Depending on the network consumers use, they may have no coverage in these areas at all.

The deal is expected to have a major impact in Wales – particularly rural areas, helping to reduce the amount of not-spots around the country.

The four networks have now made the deal legally binding by accepting amended license conditions to reflect the agreement and, for the first time, regulator Ofcom will be able to enforce consistent signal strength from each of the operators across the whole area they service

Wales Office Minister Alun Cairns said: “Wales has put up with poor mobile coverage for far too long - I welcome the news that the UK’s mobile phone operators are working together to get rid of these not-spots.

“Improved coverage is essential for businesses and a key part of our long term economic plan to make Wales an attractive place to invest, create jobs and give people the security of regular wage”

“It is crucial that Wales and the rest of the UK have world-class mobile phone coverage.”