Regulator also finds company failed to meet individual threshold in Scotland.
Ofcom said that Three UK didn’t meet its agreed 88 per cent nationwide 4G coverage threshold by the 30 June deadline under the terms of its Shared Rural Network (SRN) obligations.
In an issued update on the compliance of the UK’s four MNOs, the regulator said that Three also failed to meet its individual threshold in Scotland (72 per cent) on 30 June.
Ofcom added Three had since informed it that it had met its obligations by 22 August.
However, it said it will carry out further analysis over the coming months to verify the company’s coverage and will publish an update based on that.
A Three spokesperson, said, “Despite the pandemic, planning and logistical issues associated with rolling out a network in highly remote locations, we have now hit the overall UK target of 88 per cent coverage following a minor delay. Although we hit the target for England, Wales and Northern Ireland on time, there was a small window where we did not achieve it in Scotland. We have now achieved the overall UK target and all regional targets.”
Ofcom also revealed that EE, O2 and Vodafone met the 88 per cent UK-wide commitment and their individual thresholds for each UK nation.
Additionally, the regulator found that because of the SRN programme, areas of common coverage where all mobile network operators are present have increased from 66 per cent of the UK landmass at the start of 2020 to more than 78 per cent today.
In 2020, EE, O2, Three and Vodafone signed an agreement with government to extend mobile coverage across more of the UK by developing an SRN. Each operator agreed to deliver good 4G coverage to 88 per cent of the UK landmass by 30 June 2024 and 90 per cent by 31 January 2027, as well as meeting individual thresholds for each of UK’s nations.
Ofcom reflected these commitments in the spectrum licences held by the four companies and is responsible for measuring their compliance.
It said that it will continue to monitor the ongoing progress of the mobile network operators and prepare for another compliance assessment following the January 2027 deadline.