Mobile phone coverage has been boosted across parts of Powys and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park after dozens of government-funded mast upgrades were switched on across Wales.

50 upgraded masts are now live in Wales as part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN), a UK-wide programme designed to improve mobile coverage in rural areas. The scheme is funded jointly by the UK Government and the country’s four main mobile operators.

The latest upgrades mean residents, businesses and visitors in rural communities - including Painscastle, Hay-on-Wye, Llanigon, Tregoyd, Doly-y-Gaer and Llanddewi - can now access improved 4G coverage from all four major networks.

Other local areas benefiting from the work include Dolau, Llandegley, Crossgates and Abbeycwmhir, as well as locations in Ceredigion and north Wales.

The improvements have been made by upgrading existing mobile masts rather than installing new ones. As a result, communities can receive stronger and more reliable signals without the need for additional infrastructure.

The upgrades also improve coverage across large stretches of rural road, with the equivalent of more than 3,477 kilometres of Welsh roads now receiving service from all four mobile operators – EE, Three, VMO2 and Vodafone.

Connectivity has also been strengthened in major visitor destinations including Eryri National Park and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, where patchy mobile signals have long been a concern for both residents and tourists.

Ben Roome, CEO of Mova said: “Upgrading 50 EAS masts in Wales shows the strength of a shared, neutral programme. Every site benefits every operator, every community and every mobile user. Together, they represent practical steps toward fairer, more resilient connectivity across rural Wales. Since the launch of the Shared Rural Network, 4G coverage from all mobile network operators has increased from 66 per cent to 81 per cent of the UK, an expansion equivalent to the combined size of Wales and Northern Ireland.“With more upgrades planned, we remain focused on ensuring rural communities are included in a digitally connected UK.”

The Shared Rural Network programme was launched in 2020 to tackle so-called “not spots” – areas where mobile coverage is limited or where only one provider offers a signal.

Across the UK, 119 upgraded masts are now live through the programme.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said improved connectivity was vital for communities in rural areas in the country.

“Access to fast and reliable mobile coverage is increasingly important for residents, businesses and community organisations in rural communities all over Wales,” she said.

“Hitting this milestone is an important step in our mission to grow the Welsh economy, supporting businesses to succeed and creating opportunities in every corner of Wales.”

The UK Government has invested £184 million in upgrading Extended Area Service masts, while mobile operators have contributed more than £500 million to improve coverage in rural areas.

Since the scheme began, around 34,000 square kilometres of the UK have gained coverage from all four operators, with 4G access extended to about 280,000 additional premises and 16,000 kilometres of roads.