Rural Welsh Village of Penmachno Enters New Digital Era as EE Brings Mobile Coverage to Remote Community

Rural Welsh Village of Penmachno Enters New Digital Era as EE Brings Mobile Coverage to Remote Community

(IN BRIEF) EE has brought reliable 4G mobile connectivity to Penmachno, a rural Welsh village in Eryri National Park that previously had no dependable mobile signal from any operator. By installing a new mobile mast in collaboration with the local community council, EE has improved access to essential services, enhanced safety for residents and tourists, and supported local businesses and economic activity. The project forms part of EE’s broader efforts to reduce the UK’s digital divide and expand mobile coverage across rural and remote communities.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 27-Jan-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — EE has delivered reliable mobile connectivity to Penmachno, a rural village in the Machno Valley within Eryri National Park, making it the first UK mobile operator to provide coverage to the community. The milestone marks the end of years of isolation for residents and businesses that had been living without dependable mobile signal from any operator.

Home to around 600 people, Penmachno had been part of the remaining four percent of the UK with no reliable mobile coverage. The lack of connectivity had affected everyday life, from accessing essential online services and arranging deliveries to staying in touch with family, emergency services, and customers. Residents often had to travel to neighbouring villages simply to make phone calls or manage basic digital tasks.

Working closely with Bro Machno Community Council, EE has installed a new mobile mast at the edge of nearby woodland on the slopes of the Machno Valley. The discreetly located site now delivers fast and reliable 4G connectivity throughout the village, while also providing critical coverage for the emergency services through the Home Office’s Emergency Services Network.

The arrival of mobile coverage is already improving safety for both residents and visitors. Penmachno attracts hikers and mountain bikers drawn to its extensive trail network, and reliable signal now ensures help can be reached quickly in the event of accidents or emergencies. Local residents also highlight the benefits for modern living, including the ability to install smart meters, charge electric vehicles, and use location and safety tools for family members.

Local businesses are seeing immediate advantages as well. Holiday accommodation providers report that reliable mobile signal is improving the visitor experience, enabling guests to navigate, communicate, and stay connected during their stay. The new connectivity is also supporting plans for local economic activity, such as community-led markets and small producers being able to accept card payments using mobile technology.

The new mast forms part of EE’s wider investment to close the UK’s digital divide, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas. Over the past five years, EE has expanded and strengthened its network in more than 1,800 rural locations nationwide, bringing mobile coverage in Wales to record levels, with reliable signal now covering more than 90 percent of the country’s landmass. The Penmachno project demonstrates how collaboration between mobile operators and local communities can deliver long-term social, economic, and safety benefits.

Notes to editors:

¹ According to Ofcom’s Connected Nation’s Report 2025, while 96% of the UK’s landmass has 4G connectivity from at least one network operator, the remaining 4% has no mobile coverage from any mobile operator.

² The Home Office’s Emergency Services Network (ESN) is providing mobile coverage for the emergency services in some of the most rural and remote parts of Great Britain. ESN will enable fast, safe and secure voice, video and data across the 4G network, giving first responders immediate access to life-saving data, images and information in live situations and emergencies on the frontline.

There will be a total of 20,840 new and upgraded sites to facilitate the coverage needed for ESN across Great Britain. This will include the current EE network of 19,795 existing sites which have been updated, as well as the construction of 1,045 new 4G masts (figures correct as of January 2026). Of the 1,045 new masts being built, 753 will be built by EE to support the existing network. The Home Office is also building 292 additional masts, known as the Extended Area Service (EAS). EAS is a critical part of ESN and will supplement EE’s ESN coverage, ensuring maximum emergency service coverage in hard-to-reach areas.

About EE

EE is one of UK’s largest subscription businesses, backed by the UK’s biggest and fastest mobile network, offering superfast connections in more places than any other operator. Built on the foundation of decades of mobile and broadband leadership, EE is on a mission to be the most personal and customer-focused technology brand in the UK by playing a more meaningful role in customers’ lives, with a suite of exciting products and services open to all UK consumers, available via a new ‘EE ID’ digital platform.

EE’s mobile network continues to receive extensive recognition including UK’s best overall network by RootMetrics® every year since 2014, as well as being named Network of the Year at the 2022 Mobile Industry Awards.

EE is committed to offering first class service in the industry and has over 400 stores across the UK. EE remains the only mobile provider to answer 100% of customer calls in the UK and Ireland and was recognised as the UK’s Best Large Contact Centre by the UK Customer Experience Awards 2018 and Welsh Contact Centre Awards 2019.

EE was awarded The Sunday Times’ Best 100 Companies to Work for in 2018 and 2019, as well as being named Best Employer 2018 by the European Contact Centre & Customer Service awards. EE won Best Repair Service and Best Network Provider at the Mobile Industry Awards in September 2023 and was recognised as the provider that does more than any other to deliver a great service.

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SOURCE: EE LIMITED