News

UK-funded mobile mast upgrades reach milestone in Wales

Published

5 months ago

July 17, 2025

Thirty sites across Wales benefit from improved 4G under Shared Rural Network scheme

THIRTY mobile phone mast upgrades have now been completed in Wales under the UK Government’s Shared Rural Network (SRN), bringing improved 4G coverage to some of the country’s most remote communities.

The SRN is a joint initiative between the UK Government and mobile network operators, designed to tackle poor mobile signal in rural areas. Across the UK, 56 masts have now gone live as part of the programme.

Coverage boost for rural Wales

Villages and towns including Llangernyw, Pandy Tudur, Gwytherin, Cwmystwyth and Llanymawddwy are among the latest to benefit from faster and more reliable coverage. The upgrades also enhance connectivity in the Bannau Brycheiniog and Eryri National Parks, as well as in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty such as the Wye Valley and Bryniau Clwyd a Dyffryn Dyfrdwy.

Over 2,500 kilometres of Welsh roads now benefit from 4G coverage from all four mobile operators – EE, Three, Vodafone and Virgin Media O2 – thanks to the upgrades.

Tenby ‘desperate’ for upgrade

While progress is being made, some areas in Pembrokeshire are still in urgent need of attention. Tenby, one of Wales’ most popular seaside resorts, is frequently overwhelmed during the summer months, with thousands of tourists reporting poor or unusable mobile coverage.

Local businesses have raised concerns that the lack of reliable signal affects card payments, online bookings and even basic communication with customers. Residents have also complained of frequent signal dropouts and black spots in and around the town.

Despite its popularity, Tenby remains a digital black hole during peak periods – prompting renewed calls for it to be prioritised for future SRN upgrades.

Upgrades without new infrastructure

The improvements to date have been made by enhancing existing masts that previously only supported EE customers and emergency 999 calls. This means better coverage without the need to construct new infrastructure.

Ben Roome, CEO of digital infrastructure company Mova, said: “Thirty new EAS masts are now live in the Welsh hills. For the first time, signals from every mobile network are threading through valleys and reaching a further 2,500 kilometres of road—bringing connectivity to residents, businesses, and anyone passing through. Thanks to the Shared Rural Network, not-spots are shrinking, connections are growing, and more coverage is on its way.”

Backing rural growth

Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, added: “Funded by UK Government investment, 30 new sites in Wales now have fast and reliable mobile internet access in areas which were previously poorly served. Reliable connectivity improves every aspect of day-to-day life in rural Wales and makes a huge difference for local businesses, residents, and visitors.

“This is an important step forward in our mission to kickstart the economy and unlock opportunity in rural areas across Wales.”

UK-wide progress

Since the launch of the SRN in 2020, mobile coverage from all four operators has extended across an extra 34,000 square kilometres of the UK – equivalent to double the size of Northern Ireland.

So far, the programme has delivered 4G to an additional 280,000 premises and 16,000km of roads. The UK Government is contributing £184 million to upgrade Extended Area Service (EAS) masts, with mobile operators investing a further £500 million to tackle ‘partial not-spots’ – areas where only one or two networks provide coverage.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.