A MAJOR telecommunications company has announced plans to upgrade 4G coverage at 11 sites across Cumbria.

EE have announced they will boost rural connectivity as part of the Shared Rural Network initiative.

SRN is a programme between the UK’s four mobile network operators and the UK Government to extend 4G coverage to 95 per cent of the UK’s geography by the middle of this decade.

Locations to be upgraded in Cumbria this year include Low Dyke at Catterlen in Eden, Senhouse Street in Maryport and Steele's Bank and Newtown of Rockcliffe in Carlisle.

Matt Warman, Minister for Digital Infrastructure, said: "I'm delighted to see the great strides EE is making to boost 4G services in countryside communities as part of the Shared Rural Network agreement, which was brokered and is part funded by the government.

"We're investing half a billion pounds in this landmark deal to extend mobile coverage to 95 per cent of the UK and it will help us build back better from the pandemic.

Across the UK, a total of 579 locations are to benefit from the extended EE 4G coverage by the end of 2021.