Mobile telecoms groups reject UK shared networks proposal

A UK government demand to improve mobile phone coverage in Britain’s rural areas by asking operators to share networks has been rejected by telecoms executives, forcing ministers to consider other options. National roaming would allow customers to use the network of any operator for voice calls in “not spots” -- areas where their carrier has no coverage. Overseas roaming is similar in concept, by allowing travelling mobile customers to use the network provided by a local operator, although national roaming has not been adopted elsewhere in the world.