INTERNET speeds on mobile phones are to improve greatly in rural areas in Fermanagh after a joint venture between two major phone providers.

O2 and Vodafone are to deliver the technology and have submitted proposals for upgrading 3G and 4G transmitters in Lisbellaw, Enniskillen, Boa Island, Kesh, Fivemiletown, Newtownbutler, Lough Navar Forest Drive, Derrylin, Brookeborough, Lisnaskea and Garrison.

This means that anyone with a 3G or 4G phone will be able to avail of speedier internet and tasks such as browsing, downloading, watching videos, sending e-mails or posting on Facebook or Twitter will be much faster.

Sinn Fein Assembly Member Phil Flanagan has longed called for improvements to mobile phone infrastructure in the county and recently met with Cornerstone Infrastructure, the company that is to deliver the project.

The Fermanagh-south Tyrone MLA told The Impartial Reporter: “Mobile technology has evolved. Many people know demand more than just the basic access to calls and text and want high speed internet access on their phones.

“While we have yet to secure even the most basic level of mobile phone coverage in some areas, this work will upgrade many of the existing masts to enable users to use the internet on the smart phones or tablets at a much faster speed than previously,” he said.

Mr. Flanagan added: “This is good news for people who want to check their emails, use social media or watch videos on the go and is already the case in some places such as Kinawley, Enniskillen and Irvinestown, where 4G coverage is already provided.

“I will continue to work closely with each of the mobile network operators and with the regulator Ofcom to ensure that the remaining blackspots across Fermanagh are dealt with and that these places are not left in the 19th century as other areas, with existing mobile phone coverage, are finally brought into the 21st century. There needs to be equal access to mobile phone coverage for all of our citizens, regardless of where they live,” he said.