First calls from home
We've been tracking rural coverage gaps for ages, and this one stands out. Residents in Clocaenog, Denbighshire, can now make calls and get online without driving out of the village.
The new EE kit sits on an existing lamppost and brings the UK's most reliable network straight into the heart of the community. It's part of a wider push by BT, Denbighshire County Council, Clocaenog Community Council and the Welsh Government to tackle long-standing mobile blackspots.
What locals are saying
Kris Longworth, a resident of Clocaenog for over four years, said : “The new EE coverage has made a huge difference to everyday life here. Before, getting a mobile signal meant travelling outside the village, whereas now I can make calls around my home and stay connected while out walking locally. As someone who works from home, that flexibility makes a real difference, allowing me to keep on top of messages and calls when I'm away from my desk. It's also reassuring to know that if our broadband goes down, or if family members need to get in touch while they're out and about, we now have a reliable way to stay connected. For a rural community like ours, it's been a real game-changer.”
Susi Marston, Head of Public Sector Wales at BT Business, said: “Bringing mobile connectivity to Clocaenog gives residents and local businesses opportunities they have never been able to access before. This partnership has been entirely focussed on working together to provide the community here with better connections to services, stronger links between people and more confidence to grow and plan for the future. Using ‘mini masts’ means we are able to deliver the network services people need in a way which respects the unique character of the area.”
Adam Price, Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, said: "Digital not-spots that cut communities off from modern life and economic opportunity have no place in our vision for Wales. As the new Welsh Government, we are committed to driving investment, innovation and higher productivity across Wales, and innovative projects like this will play an important part in delivering the stronger connectivity needed for the future Wales we want to foster.”
Why this matters for the rest of us
This is the second Welsh village to benefit after Penmachno earlier this year. We're seeing more of these smart, low-impact solutions pop up, and they could be rolled out elsewhere. If you're in a similar spot, check our mobile coverage checker and compare EE deals to see what's now possible.
