Reepham will be one of the 100 communities in the programme that have until now suffered from unreliable mobile coverage and slow network speeds. (These successful communities are subject to further assessments and required planning permissions.)
 
With the installation of Vodafone’s Sure Signal technology, the town will soon be able to benefit from high-quality 3G voice services and much needed access to the internet via mobile devices, which will contribute positively to business and everyday life.
 
The seven Norfolk communities join High Kelling, Hillington, Upper Sheringham and Blakeney, which were announced earlier this month.
 
Vodafone will now start working with the Village Champion in each of these communities on this initiative, with the service going live next year.
 
The Rural Open Sure Signal 100 programme is a national initiative by Vodafone UK to provide reliable mobile access to up to 100 rural communities in mobile not-spot locations.
 
Launched in July 2014, with support from local MPs, councils and rural action groups, the programme has received an overwhelming response from around the country.
 
Mobile connectivity plays a vital role in keeping communities in touch and helps support local economies. However, rural and remote locations often miss out on advantages provided by modern communication tools, owing to the complexity of delivering network coverage. This can be because of the geography of the area or difficulties with planning permissions in places of outstanding natural beauty.
 
The Rural Open Sure Signal (ROSS) programme uses innovative “femtocell” technology to provide an alternative solution to bring mobile access in locations where it is not possible for networks to provide coverage through traditional means.
 
Vodafone UK chief executive Jeroen Hoencamp said: “I am delighted for all the communities in Norfolk that have been named as seven of our 100 ROSS communities and I’m excited about the transformation this pioneering programme should bring to each of them.
 
“The communities who have worked with us to introduce Open Sure Signal have all told us how life has improved markedly, from the ability to make an appointment at the local doctor to telling their families they are running late for lunch.
 
“We are committed to investing hugely in our network and using innovative technologies such as Sure Signal to provide coverage to rural communities means we can reach areas where it’s been impossible to reach using traditional means.”
 
Vodafone’s Rural Open Sure Signal programme has now seen the connection of 13 rural communities across the UK, including Blakeney.
 
To date, Norfolk has by far the highest number of communities selected for the programme out of all the counties and shires in the UK. Further communities will be announced by the end of the year.
 
See our earlier news stories:

• Reepham Town Team seeks better mobile phone coverage
• Reepham’s businesses frustrated by mobile phone ‘not spot’