MOBILE network operators are failing to close the rural urban divide of 4G coverage in Sussex, claims The Country Land and Business Association

Wealden District Council, has the worst 4G coverage of any local authority area in Sussex at 34 per cent 4G indoor coverage from all operators.

Brighton and Hove City Council has 76 per cent indoor coverage

The CLA, which represents 30,000 landowners, farmers and rural businesses in England and Wales, obtained the new data through Freedom of Information requests.

CLA regional surveyor Tim Bamford said: “This new data shows what rural communities have suspected for a long time, that the mobile industry is willing to abandon rural areas to the digital wilderness.

“Three years ago, we were told that coverage would be delivered in the countryside and yet rural communities are still waiting.

“In the same period the mobile industry has extracted concession after concession from ministers.

“They have got the new legal powers they wanted on the basis that they are a utility service.

“Now they must be forced to deliver the universal service that a utility operator provides.

“We expect government and the regulator to take a tough line on this and if Ofcom won’t then Ministers must step in.”

The CLA is calling on the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to review Ofcom’s statutory remit and confirm that the body should prioritise working towards universal, quality mobile coverage for consumers.

Mr Bamford said: “The mobile operators have no market incentive to improve coverage in these rural areas.

“It is absolutely clear that the only way they will deliver the coverage the countryside needs is if they are forced to do so.

“However rather than pushing them to achieve universal coverage for consumers, Ofcom is setting soft targets for rural coverage.

“Rural consumers face inadequate service and lack of network choice for years to come.”