Scotland 4G Infill (S4GI) programme mast consideration: FOI release

Information requested

Whether the Scottish Government's Scottish 4G Infill Programme considered a mast at Forest of Birse/Finzean, and;

Requirements for Emergency Services Network coverage under the S4GI programme for 'minor roads'.

Response

I enclose a response covering all of the information you requested.

The Scotland 4G Infill (S4GI) programme identified a candidate site for a mast in the Forest of Birse/Finzean area, and was amongst 100 candidate sites which were the subject of the programme’s public consultation conducted in September 2018: https://consult.gov.scot/digital-directorate/scottish-4g-infill-programme-consultation/.

This site was assigned the programme ID of S4GI 051 – see Annexes D and E of the consultation document at the above link. However, despite extensive engagement by the programme with the UK's four main mobile network operators, they had no interest in using a mast at this location. For any candidate locations within S4GI to progress into build phase, a commitment from at least one mobile network operator to using the mast to provide 4G services is required. As such, we were unable to progress this mast to delivery.

On your second question, the Emergency Services Network is a UK Government initiative, led by the Home Office. As such, it is wholly separate from the S4GI programme which has no prescribed ESN coverage requirements.

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