Residents of the Remote Welsh village of Penmachno now have access to reliable 4G mobile coverage for the first time, following the installation of a new mast by network operator EE. The deployment in the Machno Valley addresses a long-standing connectivity gap and safety concern for the village’s approximately 600 residents, who were previously among an estimated four percent of the UK population without dependable coverage from any mobile provider.
Addressing Rural Connectivity and Safety
The village of Penmachno is situated in a rural area surrounded by farmland, forests, and mountain bike trails. The complete absence of a reliable mobile signal had been identified as a significant safety issue, as it left residents and visitors in the area with no means to contact emergency services in case of an accident or other urgent situations. The new infrastructure is intended to mitigate this risk by providing a functional connection.
This installation is part of EE’s broader programme to improve rural connectivity across the United Kingdom. The company states it has invested in upgrading more than 1,800 rural locations over the past five years. According to EE, its reliable mobile signal now covers over 90 percent of the landmass in Wales.
Integration with Emergency Services Network
The expansion of coverage also supports the Home Office’s Emergency Services Network (ESN) initiative. ESN is a critical programme designed to provide modern mobile communications for police, fire, and ambulance services across Great Britain, including its most rural and remote regions. The network will enable secure voice, video, and data transmission over 4G, giving first responders immediate access to vital information during emergencies.
To facilitate the nationwide coverage required for ESN, a total of 20,840 new and upgraded mobile sites are planned. This figure includes EE’s existing network of 19,795 sites that have been updated, plus the construction of 1,045 entirely new 4G masts. These statistics are current as of January 2026.
Of the 1,045 new masts being built, EE is constructing 753 to bolster its existing network infrastructure. The Home Office is directly overseeing the construction of an additional 292 masts, known as the Extended Area Service (EAS). The EAS is described as a critical component of the ESN, designed to supplement EE’s coverage and ensure maximum reach for emergency services in hard-to-reach geographic areas.
Future Developments
The ongoing rollout of the Emergency Services Network and associated infrastructure upgrades is expected to continue transforming connectivity in remote parts of the UK. The completion of the Extended Area Service masts will be a key milestone in providing comprehensive coverage for emergency responders. Further deployments under EE’s rural programme are likely to follow, aiming to incrementally reduce the percentage of the country without reliable mobile signal.
Source: Mobile News
