The UK government has entered into a partnership with the Church of England that will see church spires used to improve broadband, mobile, and wi-fi connectivity in rural areas.

Connectivity would be improved by placing wireless transmitters in spires and towers, while also installing fibre cables, satellite dishes, and aerials in church buildings.

“Churches are central features and valued assets for local communities up and down the country,” said Matt Hancock, secretary of state for the DCMS. “This agreement with the Church of England will mean that even a 15th century building can help make Britain fit for the future improving people’s lives by boosting connectivity in some of our hardest-to-reach areas.”

A joint accord has been signed by National Church Institutions of the Church of England (NCIs), the department for digital, culture, media and sport (DCMS), and the department for the environment, food and rural affairs (Defra) to encourage parishes and dioceses to implement digital infrastructure. The dioceses of Chelmsford and Norwich are two examples of places already using church buildings to improve connectivity.

“We know that rural churches in particular have always served as a hub for their communities,” said Reverend Stephen Cottrell, the Bishop of Chelmsford. “Encouraging churches to improve connectivity will help tackle two of the biggest issues rural areas face – isolation and sustainability.”

Reverend Graham James, the Bishop of Norwich, added: “Our parish churches are a truly national network, and to use them creatively to create new forms of connectivity enhances their value for the communities they serve.”

Under the accord signed, the government has promised to provide advice for parishes and dioceses on how they can support digital connectivity. In addition, it has said there is a chance of similar accords being made with other faith communities.