Mobile phone users in Newtown and Montgomeryshire could miss out on much-needed high-speed 5G technology because of planning policy.
Montgomeryshire AM, Russell George, who has campaigned for improved mobile and broadband coverage in the area said in England and Scotland changes have been made to planning guidelines that will allow new mobile masts to be erected for the high-speed 5G coverage.
But he said in Wales, the Welsh Government had yet to do anything meaning rural areas would be worst hit.
He said 5G would be one way to overcome the lack of high-speed broadband in parts of Montgomeryshire - still waiting for the roll-out of the second phase of Superfast Cymru.
"While operators must bear some of the
"The Welsh Government's Mobile Action Plan, which is now two years old, has been proven to be little more than a set of warm words rather than concrete commitments, and unfortunately, the drive behind that plan seems to have dissipated with none of the proposals yet implemented in any meaningful way.
"During that same time period, we have seen new planning policy and updated guidance in England and Scotland which has helped prepare for 5G deployment and speed up the process for new mobile phone masts in appropriate locations; a pilot of non-domestic rate relief; the launch of a publicly funded capital investment project in Scotland and an updated accord with National Parks England that recognises the importance of digital connectivity to the residents, businesses and visitors to these sensitive rural areas.
"This political inertia in Wales when it comes to creating the right regulatory, political and commercial conditions necessary for mobile operators to invest in digital connectivity is putting Mid Wales at a further disadvantage so in 2019, I will be urging the Welsh Government to use the devolved policy levers at their disposal and commit to a public date by which these much-needed reforms will be delivered so that Mid Wales doesn't fall further behind."
He added: "Indeed, the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee, which I Chair, has recently made a series of recommendations for the Welsh Government to consider including the need to create the right planning and economic conditions for operators to invest in mobile coverage improvements in rural areas. My colleagues and I who sit on the Committee will await with interest at how they respond to our recommendations next month."