Poor mobile coverage harms Battle business

Battle MP Greg Barker has joined forces with Battle businesses to urge mobile network providers to put the town at the top of the list in the rollout of 4G services.

Mr Barker met Dale Cromwell, vice president of the Battle Chamber of Commerce, businessman Oliver Campion, who also runs the Battle town website, and Kevin Boorman of 1066 Country Marketing at the PowderMills Hotel last Friday.

The Battle area remains wallowing in a patchy 2G mobile coverage which limits mobile device use to phone calls and texting. Modern mobile data communications is almost impossible with this old technology. People expect to be able to access the internet via their mobile devices and businesses need to communicate to their customers in this way to remain competitive.

The new 4G services will make it much quicker to surf the web on mobiles, tablets and laptops.

Mr Barker said: “I’m backing Battle’s bid to be first in the queue for the roll out of 4G in our area. Battle businesses and the local tourist industry need good mobile communications to remain competitive and attract visitors. Battle is at the heart of 1066 Country and the tourist industry is worth £550 million to our local economy, it is therefore essential that mobile phone providers recognise that 4G is essential here and I shall be campaigning hard to make it happen.”

Dale said: “It was a very positive meeting, and I felt Greg really took on board what we were saying and looked for the solution rather than a reason not too. Top chap!”