Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions his Department has had with mobile network operators on complete not-spots in Great Britain not covered by the agreement announced on 18 December 2014.

The Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are key partners in delivering the Mobile Infrastructure Project (MIP). Through MIP the Government is investing up to £150m funding to build infrastructure to serve those areas where there is no voice coverage available from any of the four Mobile Network Operators (known as not-spot areas). Government funds the capital expenditure on infrastructure, while the MNOs are responsible for meeting the running costs.

The MNOs are integral to the success of MIP and there is regular engagement with them on tackling not-spots through project delivery meetings and via the project's governance forums. This includes discussion on site occupation and cost sharing.