FRENCH 'BETTER PHONE SIGNAL IN UK'
French visitors are enjoying a better mobile phone signal in England than English residents, Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said today.
The Government front-bencher told MPs he in talks with mobile operators and regulator Ofcom to encourage better coverage in the UK.
Tourists and residents around the White Cliffs of Dover have previously reported picking up a French signal at higher charges.
And Charlie Elphicke, Conservative MP for Dover, today raised concerns over French visitors receiving a better mobile phone coverage in his area compared to his constituents.
He told Mr Javid in the Commons: "Many visitors come to my constituency from the EU because they've travelled by ferry to Dover and yet visitors from France - because of international roaming - get better coverage on mobile phone reception than my own constituents.
"How can this be?"
Mr Javid replied: "As usual, you make a very good point.
"It is true that French nationals when they visit the UK they do get better coverage than your constituents because of international roaming.
"I do want to encourage operators in the UK to go further and I am discussing this with mobile operators and Ofcom.
"No firm decisions have been taken at this point but it is a very important issue."
