VODAFONE UK has announced the rural communities of Chillaton, Lifton, Postbridge and Bellever are three of the 100 successful communities in a rural mobile 'not-spot' locations which will receive 3G coverage under its Rural Open Sure Signal 100 programme.

Chillaton, Lifton, Postbridge and Bellever have suffered from unreliable mobile coverage and slow network speeds.

With the installation of Vodafone's Sure Signal technology, the local communities will benefit from high quality 3G voice services and much needed access to the internet via mobile devices, contributing positively to business and everyday life.

Vodafone will now start working with the village champions in the three communities on this initiative, with the service going live next year.

The successful communities receiving the new technology, however, are subject to further assessments and required planning permissions.

The Rural Open Sure Signal 100 programme is a national initiative by Vodafone UK to provide reliable mobile access to up to 100 rural communities in mobile not-spot locations. Launched in July with support from local MPs, councils and rural action groups, the programme has received an overwhelming response from around the country.

Rural and remote locations often miss out on advantages provided by modern communication tools, due to the complexity of delivering network coverage.

This can be because of the geography of the area or difficulties with planning permissions in places of outstanding natural beauty.

The Rural Open Sure Signal programme uses innovative 'femtocell' technology to provide an alternative solution to bring mobile access in locations where it is not possible for networks to provide coverage through traditional means.

Jeroen Hoencamp, Vodafone UK chief executive, said: 'I am delighted Chillaton, Lifton, Postbridge and Bellever have been named as three of our 100 ROSS communities and I'm excited about the transformation this pioneering programme should bring to the communities.

'The communities who have worked with us to introduce Open Sure Signal have all told us how life has improved markedly, from the ability to make an appointment at the local doctor's surgery to telling their families they are running late for lunch.

'We are committed to investing in our network and using innovative technologies such as Sure Signal to provide coverage to rural communities means we can reach areas where it's been impossible to reach before.'