New information has highlighted that mobile operators are abandoning the countryside to a digital wilderness.

The CLA has released Freedom of Information data, that shows that in England, on average less than five planning applications were made for new masts in each rural planning authority area, across the three years from the start of 2015 to the end of 2018.

This is on a par with applications in England's urban local authorities across this time period, where coverage is already far superior.

The FOI results show that the planning approval rate in rural local authorities is 84.5 per cent, un urban local authorities it is 86 per cent.

CLA deputy president, Mark Bridgeman, said: "This new data shows what rural communities have suspected for a long time, that the mobile industry is willing to abandon rural areas to the digital wilderness.

"Three years ago, we were told that coverage would be delivered in the countryside and yet rural communities are still waiting."

The CLA has highlighted Ofcom's failure to push mobile network operators to achieve universal coverage for consumers, and is calling on the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to review Ofcom's statutory remit.

CLA South West director, John Mortimer, said: "Mobile 4G is another example of how the rural economy is being left behind in the digital revolution.

"We have to keep the pressure there so that rural businesses can get connected and can compete in a digital world.

"Mobile phone operators now need to get on and use the new consenting approach to ensure the delivery of an expanded network which covers all our rural areas and local authorities need to have a positive attitude to permitting new masts, even in our most scenic areas.

"Rural England needs to live and conduct business in a modern world."