MID-SCOTLAND and Fife MSP, Liz Smith, has welcomed new powers that will allow customers to switch mobile phone provider if they move to an area which has poor reception on their current network.

The House of Lords voted last Wednesday to allow users to switch firms in so-called “not spots” where there is sub-standard coverage or none at all.

Currently customers are locked into contracts with service providers for up to two years, with an initial two week cooling off period allowed if service in their area is poor.

Liz Smith believes that this will be good news for people moving to rural parts of Mid-Scotland and Fife who experience bad signals with their existing provider.

Commenting, she said: "This is a common sense move that could have hugely positive implications for anyone moving to the area whose mobile phone provider ceases to offer acceptable coverage.

“Mobile signal blackspots are a particular problem in rural parts of Perth and Kinross, Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire and there is nothing worse than being stuck with a provider that offers no service. These new rules will be good for people moving to rural areas and will provide customers with an extra layer of flexibility.

“Above all we need digital infrastructure to improve across the board but until that happens customers shouldn’t be left stranded on networks that are not up to scratch.”