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UK mobile network EE has promised to hook up rural black spots with micro-network technology.
The network plans to bring network connectivity to some 1,500 rural communities by the end of 2017.
Such areas often prove too costly to reach with conventional mobile masts or cable solutions, so EE is establishing small, wireless mobile antennas directly at the rural locations.
This system has already been tested in Sebergham in Cumbria, where all of its 347 residents (that's 129 homes and small businesses) now get a mobile signal from the three meshed antennas that have been installed. It will roll out to other areas in early 2015.
"We estimate that we'll be able to bring reliable voice coverage and high speed mobile broadband to more than 1,500 places for the first time by 2017," said EE CEO Olaf Swantee.
All four of the UK's major mobile networks have committed to bringing 4G connectivity to 98 percent of the UK, and this method seems to be the most likely way to reach those hard to reach areas.
EE has recently been rated as the best UK network for 4G coverage and speeds, and this initiative to bring its services to mobile black spots should only boost that view.
Read More: EE TV hands-on