Connecting Devon and Somerset's Mobile Boost scheme re-opens

Connecting Devon and Somerset’s successful Mobile Boost scheme has re-opened this week with a fresh £430,000 investment.

The scheme had previously run for two years, until March 2023, with more than £1.1 million of funding through the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership’s (HotSWLEP) Growth Deal.

In that time, it helped over 1,700 residents and businesses benefit from a better mobile phone signal, and many of them say it has “transformed” their lives.

Peter Samwell, who lives near the Blackdown Hills, was among those who applied through the scheme.

He said: “We’ve always had a reasonable mobile reception in the garden, but in the house, because the walls are three feet thick, it was impossible. We were pulling our hair out in frustration and we would come out into the garden to make and receive phone calls.

“We read about the CDS Mobile Boost scheme and Moortek explained to us if we got one bar of signal outside of the house we could get five bars inside. It was exactly what we needed here.

“It’s been an absolute revelation. Now we can talk to friends and family and don’t even think about mobile signal – we get a full-strength signal. It’s not fixed to one particular provider which makes it flexible as well.

“Full marks to CDS for the scheme and full marks to Moortek for installing it. After having it fitted it’s just forgotten about now.

“It’s changed our lives completely. I had no idea such a bit of kit existed. The Cel-fi solo has been transformational. It’s a small box in our dining room that boosts the signal throughout the whole house.

“Without the CDS contribution towards the cost I would have hesitated, but the contribution made it affordable for us.”

The Exmoor Forest Inn at Simonsbath has also benefited from a better mobile phone signal after applying through the scheme and having booster equipment installed 18 months ago.

Charles O’Connor, partner at the Exmoor Forest Inn, said: “We’re at the bottom of a valley and had a patchy signal inside the building. For us as a business it was probably not as frustrating as for someone who may be working from home and suffering from poor signal, but we’ve seen a significant improvement so we’re not having to think about it at all now.

“It has made it much easier to contact members of staff working in other parts of the building and it’s also had a positive effect for customers.

“The grant from CDS was very helpful and I don’t think we would have gone ahead without it. I would encourage everyone who needs a better mobile signal to go for it. Having it installed is painless, the equipment is unobtrusive, and it works.”

The latest round of the scheme will continue to enable businesses and residents in Somerset, Devon, Torbay and Plymouth to apply for a voucher of up to £1,300 towards the cost of a mobile signal booster from a number of registered suppliers. Applicants have to pay towards the cost of installation themselves.

Councillor Rufus Gilbert, CDS Board Member and Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Skills, said: "The Mobile Boost scheme has been hugely popular and it's extremely rewarding to hear from people that it's made such a difference to their business or their daily lives. People in some rural areas continue to struggle with their mobile signal so I'm pleased that this new funding support will enable more people to benefit from improved connectivity.”

Councillor Richard Wilkins, CDS Board Member and Somerset County Council Lead Member for Transport and Digital, said: “This latest funding for the Mobile Boost scheme is very welcome. This initiative has already had a positive impact across Somerset and Devon and I’ve no doubt that we will see plenty more applications coming from residents and businesses.”

For more information go to the Mobile Boost Voucher Scheme pages on the CDS website.