Publication - Factsheet
Scottish 4G infill programme: progress update
Progress made on the mast sites currently in the Scottish 4G Infill programme and information about how mast sites progress to delivery.
- Published:
- 19 Feb 2020
Find out more about the Scottish 4G Infill programme using the following links:
- progress updates on mast sites
- potential additional candidate sites
- sites being removed from S4GI
- how mast sites progress to delivery
Progress updates on mast sites
We are pleased to report the following progress on the mast sites currently in the Scottish 4G Infill programme:
Position on the sites map |
Site location |
Progress update |
|
1 |
Collieston |
Planning permission and landowner consents are in place but we have yet to secure firm commitment from a 4G mobile network operator to use this site. We cannot say when this site may progress but continue to work with industry. |
|
2 |
Blairmore |
Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and have agreement from a 4G mobile network operator to use this site. The mast build process is underway and 4G services are expected to be available within the next year. |
|
3 |
Manish |
Planning permission and landowner consents are in place but we have yet to secure firm commitment from a 4G mobile network operator to use this site. We cannot say when this site may progress but continue to work with industry. |
|
4 |
Ettrick |
Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and have agreement from Vodafone to use this site. The mast build process is underway and 4G services are expected to be available later this year. |
|
5 |
Lemreway |
Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and have agreement from a 4G mobile network operator to use this site. The mast build process is underway and 4G services are expected to be available within the next year. |
|
6 |
Strathconon |
Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and have agreement from a 4G mobile network operator to use this site. The mast build process is underway and 4G services are expected to be available within the next year. |
|
7 |
New Luce |
This mast is complete. 4G services are now available from Vodafone, with services from EE expected to be available later this year. |
|
8 |
Tarskavaig |
Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and have agreement from a 4G mobile network operator to use this site. The mast build process is underway and 4G services are expected to be available within the next year. |
|
9 |
Applecross |
Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and have agreement from a 4G mobile network operator to use this site. The mast build process is underway and 4G services are expected to be available within the next year. |
|
10 |
Bunessan |
Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and have agreement from a 4G mobile network operator to use this site. The mast build process is underway and 4G services are expected to be available within the next year. |
|
11 |
Traquair |
Planning permission and landowner consent are being sought. Agreement with a 4G mobile network operator has been reached. Once planning permission and landowner consent are in place, we will provide an update with an indicative delivery timescale |
|
12 |
Balmacara |
Planning permission is in place and landowner consent is being sought. However the programme has, so far, been unable to secure the interest of a 4G mobile network operator to use the site. The site is currently unable to progress. At this stage, no indicative timescale for site delivery can be given. |
|
13 |
Glenbarr |
Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and have agreement from a 4G mobile network operator to use this site. The mast build process is underway and 4G services are expected to be available within the next year. |
|
14 |
Ae |
Planning permission and landowner consent are in place. However the programme has so far been unable to secure the interest of a 4G mobile network operator in using the site. For this reason, the site is currently unable to progress. At this stage, no indicative timescale for site delivery can be given. |
|
15 |
Glencripesdale |
Landowner consent is in place and planning permission is being sought. An agreement with a 4G mobile network operator has been reached. Once planning permission is secured, we will provide an update with an indicative delivery timescale. |
|
16 |
Polbain |
Planning permission and landowner consent are being sought. Agreement with a 4G mobile network operator has been reached. Once planning permission and landowner consent are in place, we will provide an update with an indicative delivery timescale. |
|
17 |
Killian |
Planning permission and landowner consent is in place, and agreement with a 4G mobile network operator has been confirmed. The mast build process is underway and deployment of 4G services is expected later this year. |
|
18 |
Chapeltown |
Planning permission is in place and we have reached an agreement with a 4G mobile network operator to use the site has been reached. Once agreement with a landowner is reached we will provide further updates with an indicative delivery timescale. |
|
19 |
Selivoe |
Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and have agreement from a 4G mobile network operator to use this site. The mast build process is underway and 4G services are expected to be available within the next year. |
|
20 |
Whitropefoot |
Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and have agreement from a 4G mobile network operator to use this site. The mast build process is underway and 4G services are expected to be available within the next year. |
|
21 |
Ranish |
Site search and initial discussions with planning authorities and landowners are underway. Agreement with a 4G mobile network operator has been reached. Once planning permission and landowner consent is in place, we will provide and update with an indicative delivery timescale. |
|
22 |
Little Mill |
Site search and initial discussions with planning authorities and landowners are underway. Agreement with a 4G mobile network operator has been reached. Once planning permission and landowner consent is in place, we will provide and update with an indicative delivery timescale. |
|
23 |
Loch Head |
Planning permission and landowner consent are being sought. Agreement with a 4G mobile network operator has been reached. Once planning permission and landowner consent are in place, we will provide an update with an indicative delivery timescale. |
|
24 |
Auchenhessnane |
Planning permission and landowner consent are being sought. Agreement with a 4G mobile network operator has been reached. Once planning permission and landowner consent are in place, we will provide an update with an indicative delivery timescale. |
Potential additional candidate sites
We are investigating the addition of the following 16 candidate sites into the programme.
Site searches and initial discussions with planning authorities, local landowners and mobile network operators are underway. If agreements can be reached, we expect to add these sites to the programme at a later date.
|
Number on Map |
Site Name
|
|
25 |
Bogton Turiff |
|
26 |
Cairngarroch |
|
27 |
Brecklate |
|
28 |
Glasnakille |
|
29 |
Inverchoran |
|
30 |
Blackhill |
|
31 |
Rackwick |
|
32 |
Ardlussa |
|
33 |
Craighouse |
|
34 |
Kinlochspelve |
|
35 |
Baymore |
|
36 |
Deerness |
|
37 |
Skerray |
|
38 |
Muircroft |
|
39 |
Cullipool |
|
40 |
Charlestown |
Sites being removed from S4GI
Regrettably, we have no option but to remove the following 26 previously proposed candidate sites from the Scottish 4G Infill Programme.
This is because no mobile network operators have committed to using them. In addition, at Pennan, the proposed mast was unsuccessful in achieving planning permission from the local planning authority.
Site name |
|
Pennan |
|
Outertown |
|
Hoy |
|
Burray |
|
Deanburnhaugh |
|
Arnisdale |
|
Stronachlachar |
|
Ham |
|
Drummuir |
|
Bettyhill |
|
Garvald |
|
Mallaig |
|
Eriskay |
|
Strathyre |
|
Watten |
|
Clachan Seil |
|
Kilchoman |
|
Cuidrach |
|
Clova |
|
Garvald |
|
Bruray |
|
Crinan |
|
Carrine |
|
Kinlochard |
|
Berneray Harbour |
|
Applecross Forest |
The proposed site at Carrick Castle Site was removed from the programme in 2019 as 4G services were available in the area.
How mast sites progress to delivery
Building a mobile mast from initial site selection to the final switch-on is a lengthy process involving several important stages. These can be complex and take time to achieve.
When a mast site is included in the programme, WHP Telecoms Ltd – the Scottish Government’s supplier in the programme – undertakes site acquisition activity in order to achieve each of three fundamental consents to progress delivery of the mast. These are:
- agreed terms with a landowner
- achievement of planning permission from the local planning authority
- commitment from at least one mobile network operator (EE, O2, Three, Vodafone) to providing 4G mobile services from that site
WHP Telecoms Ltd. is currently involved in intensive discussions with potential landlords, planning authorities, communities and mobile network operators to achieve these three consents.
It is during this process that the exact site location will be determined – and this can differ from the indicative locations denoted by national grid references previously published by the Scottish Government.
In our programme, each of the three above consents must be in place before any physical mast build will take place. At this stage, we will be in a position to give an indicative timeline for delivery of mobile services.
If the programme is unable to achieve all three consents, then regrettably we will be unable to progress with that site – however we will keep the site under review should circumstances change.
The mast also requires a power supply and backhaul (a fibre or microwave connection back to national telecoms networks) at a cost that is affordable within the overall programme budget. In parallel with the site acquisition process, WHP Telecoms Ltd. is currently in active discussion with power and backhaul suppliers to achieve this. Costs could be high if the local topography is challenging, if the site is distant from the nearest fibre route or electricity supply.
Once all of the above elements are in place, the mast will progress to the construction phase. Once completed, the mobile network operator can complete the process by installing their equipment and switching on the service.
The programme will provide regular progress updates on this website with clear reasons should any masts be unable to progress.
Contact
Email: DigitalPMO@gov.scot
Post:
Scottish Government
Connectivity, Economy and Participation Division
Atlantic Quay
Glasgow
G2 8LU
Telephone: 0300 244 4000