Suffolk farmers are complaining they are still being cut off from the outside world because of poor mobile phone signals in countryside areas.

Farmers from different parts of the county say that over the years the situation has failed to improve - and in some areas appears to have got worse. Broadband connections are also still slow in some places.

A National Farmers' Union (NFU) survey suggests poor mobile and broadband connectivity continues to dog the industry.

More than three quarters (76%) of members reported some level of unreliable mobile signal across outdoor locations on their farms.

While farmers have seen a 10% increase in 5G access, 6% of those surveyed still have no access to 4G or 5G on their smartphones.

Tom McVeigh searching for a signal (Image: Lucy Davenport)

However, broadband speeds have improved with 58% of members now finding them adequate for the needs of their farm business - up 10% on last year.

Debenham farmer Tom McVeigh, who farms arable crops, cattle and pigs at Kenton Hall, said it was a problem shared by many farmers and people living in rural parts of the county.

“We have had problems with mobile phone signal here for as long as I can remember.

“It makes it hard to do basic tasks and it is a huge frustration.

“It causes issues on a regular basis where we have people coming and going on farm and when we need to get information quickly it can take an age."

Having reliable mobile and broadband connectivity is essential to enable businesses and the rural economy to thrive - and was also important for health and safety reasons if a farmer needs to phone emergency services, he said.

“This is also crucial in helping farmers to deliver food security, which has to be a top priority of the new government," he said.

He added: “Lack of connectivity can accentuate loneliness and cause stress, both threats to mental health in rural areas.”

Andrew Blenkiron - who heads up the Elveden Estate near Thetford - said mobile phone service was still poor on parts of the estate.

"It's a big issue even here right adjacent to the A11," he said. "It's pretty diabolical in reality."

It was "disappointing" that after a brief period when it got better, it had fallen back again, he said.

Glenn Buckingham, chairman of the Suffolk branch of the NFU who farms at Helmingham Hall, near Debenham, said: "We certainly believe the so-called not-spots are around."

Coverage was good, but could be better, he said. Problems on his farm were particularly evident when trying to make contact with hauliers - an essential part of the job. 

"You can't complete the conversation. Considering how flat our countryside is really it's quite surprising we still have problems."

NFU vice president Rachel Hallos welcomed the new government's pledge to deliver gigabit broadband and 5G by 2030.

But she added: "We need detailed plans and a timeline on how this will be delivered, particularly in rural areas. 2030 is still six years away and waiting that long for better connectivity is a huge burden for rural businesses."

It was "very worrying" that three quarters of farmers still have mobile signal gaps on their farms.

“The lack of sufficient mobile and broadband connectivity is a barrier to greater productivity, growth and investment into the rural economy, especially at a time when businesses are being required to meet more of their legal and regulatory obligations online. That is why we are asking the government to prioritise improving rural connectivity.

“In the meantime, the NFU will continue to ask for a technologically neutral broadband rollout – one which means focusing on results rather than favouring specific methods – so rural-proofed solutions, such as satellite broadband, can be installed in even the most remote locations.”