| 24 February 2021 As part of the UK’s Shared Rural Network (SRN) initiative between the UK government and major operators to extend mobile coverage in rural areas across the UK, BT-owned EE mobile network has announced plans to upgrade its 4G network in more than 500 areas in 2021. Phase one of the scheme was announced on 27 January 2021 and now EE has come on board and has committed to upgrading its 4G network in 110 areas since the SRN deal was signed in March 2020 to bring improved connectivity to each UK nation. A further 469 upgrades will follow by the end of this year, meaning a total of 579 areas will benefit from extended EE 4G coverage by the end of 2021. Of these, 333 will be in England, 132 in Scotland, 76 in Wales, and 38 in Northern Ireland. As per the guidelines of the SRN scheme, all sites have been made available for other operators to share.