January 28, 2026 - 308 views
Residents and businesses in Penmachno are celebrating after receiving reliable mobile coverage for the first time.
EE has become the first UK mobile operator to deliver signal to the community, ending years of isolation for around 600 residents who had been living in one of the country’s remaining mobile “not-spots”.
Until recently, Penmachno was part of what has been described as the “forgotten” four percent of the UK with no dependable mobile coverage from any network.
The lack of signal had left villagers cut off, with residents often needing to travel to neighbouring areas simply to make phone calls, organise deliveries of food or medication, or access essential online services such as banking.
Now, a discreetly built mobile mast on the edge of a nearby forest has brought fast and reliable 4G connectivity to the village, as well as critical emergency services coverage through the Home Office’s Emergency Services Network.
The development has been welcomed by Bro Machno Community Council, which worked closely with EE to bring the mast to the area.
Daniel Tomos, Clerk of the council, said local backing was vital.
“We’ve always been 100 percent behind the mast and that has helped our journey to where we are today, with a mast in the forest and signal for everybody,” he said.
Greg McCall, Chief Security and Networks Officer at BT Group, said the project highlighted what could be achieved when rural communities and operators collaborate.
“There is more to do to completely eradicate the UK’s digital divide,” he said, “but our collaboration with the local residents of Penmachno is a shining example of what can be achieved.”
Penmachno is well known for its strong farming community, historic setting, and 30 kilometres of popular mountain bike trails, drawing visitors throughout the year.
Local residents David and Emma Dallimore believe improved connectivity will make the area safer for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts.
“Safety was quite a concern for people coming into the area because there was no mobile reception,” they said.
“If people were injured, particularly if they were out riding on their own, there was no way of getting hold of anyone to help. The fact it is now safer is a very good thing for all of us.”
They also said the signal would allow villagers to make greater use of modern technology, including smart meters and electric vehicle charging points.
For businesses in the area, the arrival of mobile coverage is expected to bring immediate benefits.
Paul Huckstep, co-owner of Benar Cottages, a holiday-let business offering stays in historic cottages overlooking the valley, said the lack of signal had previously affected guest experiences.
“In the past we have had guests leave us negative reviews because of the lack of mobile phone service,” he said.
“Now all that has gone away. Guests can arrive, open their phones, find out where they are staying, and keep in contact with everyone they need to.”
The improved connectivity is also being seen as an important step in keeping rural communities thriving for the future.
Owen Davis, a long-term resident and co-ordinator at Penmachno Community Hub, said the change was already making a difference.
“Having a mobile network here in the village is making an immediate difference to everyone who lives here,” he said.
“It’s reassuring to be able to track my younger children using tools like Find My iPhone and just know where they are.”
He also believes the signal will support new local economic opportunities, including plans for a monthly producer’s market where residents could take card payments.
EE says the Penmachno mast is part of wider efforts to close the UK’s digital divide and ensure rural areas can access the same services as towns and cities.
Research into connectivity improvements in nearby Trawsfynydd suggests that a single 4G mast can generate up to £383,000 in economic value for rural Welsh communities over its lifetime.
Over the past five years, EE has expanded its network in more than 1,800 rural locations across the UK, with Wales now seeing reliable coverage across more than 90 percent of the country’s landmass.
According to Ofcom’s Connected Nations Report 2025, while 96 percent of the UK has 4G coverage from at least one operator, the remaining four percent still has no signal — making Penmachno’s new connection a significant milestone for rural North Wales.
