Under the terms of the deal, EE, O2, Three and Vodafone will invest in a network of new and existing phone masts, overseen by jointly owned Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited.
This will provide strong 4G coverage in rural areas regardless of what network provider is being used, with the aim to deliver coverage to 88% of the UK’s landmass by 2024, and to 90% by 2026.
Ofcom's Shared Rural Network Compliance Methodology outlines how it will measure mobile companies’ compliance with those coverage commitments.
The regulator has also varied the spectrum licences held by the four mobile network operators in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands to give effect to the coverage commitments.
