In the Devon County Council Funding news for January 3rd, there is an article which reads:

Does your business or household struggle with poor indoor mobile coverage? Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) may be able to help. The Mobile Boost Scheme is for homes and businesses that currently have good outdoor but poor indoor mobile coverage.

The scheme has been extended until June 2024 due to ongoing demand. More than 1,700 homes and businesses across Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay have already benefited from the scheme.

The initiative offers vouchers worth up to £1,300 towards the cost of a mobile signal booster from a registered supplier. The value of the voucher is dependent on the type of technology most suitable for the premises and suppliers can advise on the three options of equipment that are available through the scheme – a 4G booster or two models of “signal repeaters” which repeat the outdoor signal indoors.

Focus of fund/fund aims: Businesses and households in Devon, Plymouth, Torbay and Somerset can apply for a voucher worth up to £1,300 to improve their indoor 4G mobile signal

Application deadline: The scheme has been extended until June 2024, however applications will only be accepted after January 15th.

Fund description:
https://www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk/better-connection/mobile-boost-voucher-scheme/mobile-boost-voucher-scheme-guide/

I have had experience of doing such installations in Spain before I returned to live in the UK. The levels of benefit that can be provided by a booster can vary but overall it is worth having a test to see if it such a booster would be suitable for your situation.

However, having visited the website, I am very troubled by what I read there. I have no fundamental problem with any Company making a profit but I am concerned when that profit is being made from our money, as a taxpayer!

The website expands on the information given above and then explains about the next steps to make an application and arrange for the best option for the circumstances of your business or household. It explains that you will be required to make a £250 contribution towards the cost and the supplier will then receive a grant towards the rest of the cost from Devon County Council of between £800 and £1200.

The problem, from my point of view, is that you can buy the equipment for yourself from either a mail-order supplier in the UK or from China direct for something between £50 and £150.

To my way of thinking the initial contribution is more than sufficient to cover the cost of the appropriate equipment and installation and there never was any need for any local Authority to make a contribution – it is better that they spend your money on much needed services elsewhere!

If you want to contact me about this article in either a private capacity or through my Webcliq consultancy, feel free. I am not able to climb ladders as I used to do before I retired but I know someone who can ….