Vodafone UK has announced a national program under which it aims to offer up to 100 rural communities the opportunity to apply for mobile access with a view to enhancing coverage, Telegeography.com reported on July 23, 2014. Citing the cellco that it was calling for communities to work together, in partnership with their local MPs, to apply for the installation of its Open Sure Signal technology, it said it was hoping to bring its 3G services to new areas.

In unveiling its plans, Vodafone UK noted that its initial Rural Open Sure Signal trials saw the connection of twelve rural communities across the UK, from Walls in the Shetland Islands to Newton St Cyres in Devon; the cellco’s Open Sure Signal uses ‘femtocell’ technology to provide a 3G signal in those areas where traditional mobile coverage has yet to reach due to issues with local geography or planning permission.