BT Secures Major Mobile Connectivity Contract with DEFRA

Published on May 8, 2025

BT has signed a multi-million-pound deal with the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to provide mobile connectivity for real-time environmental monitoring. The five-year contract will deliver 34,000 mobile connections across England, Scotland, and Wales, supporting DEFRA’s agencies in tracking flooding, disease outbreaks, and other critical events.

The agreement will use EE’s network to connect field workers and devices such as water sensors and payment systems. Enhanced rural 4G coverage through the Shared Rural Network (SRN) will ensure reliable data transmission in remote areas. As part of the deal, BT will assist DEFRA in reducing carbon emissions by providing tools like eSIM technology and a carbon tracking dashboard.

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