Major ISP to invest in mobile coverage improvements

Major internet service provider (ISP) O2 is to spend a substantial sum on improving its mobilebroadband coverage throughout the UK.

The company announced it will be upgrading or opening 40 base stations in London before Christmas and an additional 160 in the near future, while there will be a similar move at a total of 1,500 throughout the UK.

O2 lacks the mobile coverage of its competitors, with just 84 per cent national coverage compared to more than 90 per cent for both 3 and Orange, and was threatened with a fine from industry regulator Ofcom last year.

Derek McManus, chief technology officer for O2, said: "We are now aggressively accelerating our network growth programme to ensure we have significant headroom for the future and retain our focus on being number one for customer satisfaction."

Fast mobilebroadband connections can help deliver quicker download speeds and more efficient VoIP solutions.

Improved mobile connectivity is being considered to supply better services to rural communities.