DOZENS of rural areas around Hampshire will get upgraded 4G coverage this year after a pledge from the UK's mobile network operators.

EE are set to upgrade a total of 579 locations across the UK known as 'partial not-spots' - areas where there is mobile coverage from at least one, but not all, operators.

It is part of the Shared Rural Network scheme, which comprises £500 million in government funding to eliminate hard to reach areas where there is no coverage from mobile operators.

These include areas with high summer demand, including national parks, coastal locations and key roads.

In the Andover area, this includes Abbots Ann, Broughton and East Aston.

Additionally, the 4G signal will be boosted by EE in Whitchurch, Steventon, Overton and Laverstoke.

Matt Warman, Minister for Digital Infrastructure, said: "I'm delighted to see the great strides EE is making to boost 4G services in countryside communities as part of the Shared Rural Network agreement, which was brokered and is part funded by the government.

"We're investing half a billion pounds in this landmark deal to extend mobile coverage to 95 per cent of the UK and it will help us build back better from the pandemic."

Philip Jansen, Chief Executive of BT Group, said: “Reliable connectivity is important wherever you live, work or travel, and we’re committed to improving and adding coverage to even the most remote areas.

"The investment BT has made in rural areas to date means we already have the infrastructure in place needed to extend our 4G coverage footprint further, minimising the number of new sites we need to build.

"There are many places where EE is the only provider with 4G coverage today, offering the other operators an opportunity to share our existing sites to plug gaps in their networks and improve mobile performance for everyone."

Mike McKinley, Chair of National Parks England, said: “The extension, and introduction, of 4G coverage across more rural areas is welcome news for National Park communities and visitors, and will help meet increased demand for fast, reliable connectivity.

“Digital connectivity is a vital part of modern life, and this news will also benefit the residents of National Parks, many of whom currently live in isolated areas with no access to mobile coverage.

“As we look ahead to this summer 2021, National Parks is anticipating a large influx of visitors.

"These visitors will now have access to better and more reliable mobile coverage, giving them the opportunity to use important tools such as ‘SaferLakes’ which helps visitors enjoy these special landscapes, while ensuring they are protected for future generations.”