THINGS could be looking up for mobile phone users on the Lizard Peninsula and other rural areas affected by poor coverage.

Vodafone is giving up to 100 rural communities the around the chance to apply for mobile access.

Communities need to work together, in partnership with their local MP, to apply for the installation of Vodafone’s Open Sure Signal technology in their villages and hamlets to bring 3G mobile coverage to their area.

It uses ‘femtocell’ technology – roughly meaning a small, low-power cellular base station – to provide a signal in areas where traditional mobile coverage has been unable to reach.

About the size of a domestic broadband box and in a range of colours – white, grey or brown – the units use existing broadband services to deliver the Vodafone 3G mobile signal.

The units can be installed on any number of buildings including village halls, pubs, shops and homes across the community to ensure widespread mobile coverage.

Applications for the Rural Open Sure Signal programme close on October 14 this year, with the first communities to be connected by the end of the year. For more information and how to apply visit www.vodafone.co.uk/rural