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:
- 3 Feb 2021
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
The Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust have worked in partnership to develop the Scottish 4G Infill Programme (S4GI). The S4GI programme is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support activity in the Highlands and Islands.
We are pleased to report the following progress on the mast sites currently in the Scottish 4G Infill (S4GI) programme.
Sites Live
|
Position on the sites map |
Site location |
Progress update |
|
1 |
Collieston |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
2 |
Blairmore |
4G services are now available from EE.
|
|
4 |
Ettrick |
4G services are now available from Vodafone and O2. |
|
5 |
Lemreway |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
6 |
Strathconon |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
7 |
New Luce |
4G services are now available from Vodafone and EE. |
|
8 |
Tarskavaig |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
10 |
Bunessan |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
12 |
Glenbarr |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
13 |
Ae |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
14 |
Glenborrodale (formerly referred to as Glencripesdale) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
17 |
Chapeltown |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
18 |
Reawick (formerly referred to as Selivoe) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
19 |
Whitropefoot |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
21 |
Littlemill |
4G services are now available from EE.
|
|
22 |
Loch Head |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
34 |
Deerness |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
25 |
Cairngarroch |
4G services are now available from EE. |
Sites currently at Build Stage
|
Position on the sites map |
Site location |
Progress update |
|
3 |
Manish |
Construction is completed, with power completed and fibre connection ongoing. 4G services from EE are expected to be available late 2021. |
|
9 |
Applecross |
Construction is completed with transmission connection ongoing, and EE has agreed to use this site. Once the transmission connection is completed, we will be able to forecast service availability. |
|
11 |
Traquair |
Construction is completed, with fibre completed and power connection ongoing. 4G services from EE are expected to be available Summer 2021. |
|
15 |
Polbain |
Construction is completed. 4G services from EE are expected to be available Autumn 2021. |
|
16 |
Killilan |
Construction is completed. 4G services from EE are expected to be available Autumn 2021. |
|
20 |
Ranish |
Construction is completed with fibre and power completed. 4G services from EE are expected to be available Autumn 2021. |
|
23 |
Auchenhessnane |
Construction is completed. 4G services from EE are expected to be available Autumn 2021. |
|
24 |
Bogton Turriff |
Construction is completed, with fibre and power connections ongoing. 4G services from EE are expected to be available Autumn 2021 |
|
26 |
Brecklate |
Construction is completed, with fibre completed and power connection ongoing. 4G services from EE are expected to be available late 2021 |
|
27 |
Elgol |
Construction is completed with power and transmission connection ongoing, and EE has agreed to use this site. Once the transmission connection is completed, we will be able to forecast service availability. |
|
28 |
Inverchoran |
Construction is completed. 4G services from EE are expected to be available Autumn 2021. |
|
29 |
Rackwick |
Construction is completed with transmission connection ongoing, and EE has agreed to use this site. Once the transmission connection is completed, we will be able to forecast service availability. |
|
30 |
Ardlussa |
Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and EE has agreed to use this site. Construction work is underway. |
|
31 |
Craighouse |
Construction is complete with power completed and fibre connections ongoing. 4G services from EE are expected to be available late 2021 |
|
32 |
Lochbuie |
Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and EE has agreed to use this site. Construction work is underway. |
|
33 |
Baymore |
Construction is completed with power complete and fibre connection ongoing. 4G services from EE are expected to be available Autumn 2021. |
|
35 |
Skerray |
Construction is completed with power and fibre connections ongoing. 4G services from EE are expected to be available Autumn 2021 |
|
36 |
Burray |
Construction is completed. 4G services from EE are expected to be available Summer 2021. |
|
40 |
Garvald |
Construction is completed with fibre completed and power connection ongoing. Vodafone and O2 have agreed to use this site. |
|
41 |
Carrine |
Construction is completed with power and fibre connection completed. Vodafone and O2 have agreed to use this site. |
|
42 |
Applecross Forest |
Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and Vodafone and O2 have agreed to use this site. Build will commence once the transmission and power solution has been confirmed and approved |
|
53 |
Ellemford |
Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and EE agreed to use this site. Construction work is underway. |
Sites at Pre-Build Stage
|
Position on the sites map |
Site location |
Progress update |
|
43 |
Balmacara |
Planning permission has been granted with landowner consent ongoing. Agreement with a 4G mobile network operator has been reached. Once landowner consent is in place build will commence. |
|
44 |
Deanburnhaugh |
Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and EE agreed to use this site. |
|
45 |
Stronachlachlar |
Planning permission and landowner consent ongoing. Agreement with a 4G mobile network operator has been reached. Once landowner consent and planning are in place build will commence. |
|
50 |
Kenmore |
Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and EE agreed to use this site. |
Potential additional candidate sites
We are investigating the addition of the following 9 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.
|
38 |
Bruray |
|
39 |
Crinan |
|
46 |
Ham |
|
47 |
The Craigs |
|
48 |
Kinlochard |
|
49 |
Inverie (formerly referred to as Mallaig) |
|
51 |
Achosnich |
|
52 |
Kilchoman |
|
55 |
Rottal (formerly referred to as Clova)
|
Sites being removed from S4GI
Regrettably, we have no option but to remove the following previously proposed candidate sites from the Scottish 4G Infill Programme. With the following exceptions, this is because no mobile network operators have committed to using them:
|
Carrick Castle* |
Eriskay |
|
Pennan† |
Strathyre |
|
Outertown |
Watten |
|
Hoy |
Clachan Seil |
|
Arnisdale |
Cuidrach |
|
Drummuir |
Charlestown‡ |
|
Bettyhill |
Muircroft‡ |
|
Garvald (Mendick) |
Cullipool‡ |
|
Blackhill |
Berneray Harbour* |
* Carrick Castle, Berneray Harbour: removed as commercial services by EE were found to be available in the area.
† Pennan: in addition to no MNO interest, planning permission was refused following local opposition.
‡ Muircroft, Cullipool, Charlestown: removed as EE is now planning to deliver 4G services to these areas on a commercial basis.
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 Infrastructure Provider – begins 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.
During this process the exact site location is determined. This can differ from the indicative locations denoted by national grid references previously published by the Scottish Government.
All three of these 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 all three consents cannot be achieved, then regrettably that site will not be able to progress. However, we will keep the site under review should circumstances change.
Mobile masts also require a power supply and backhaul (ideally using fibre or alternatively a microwave connection back to national telecoms networks). Both must be 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 or 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: digitalconnectivity@gov.scot
Post:
Scottish Government
Connectivity, Economy and Participation Division
Atlantic Quay
Glasgow
G2 8LU
Telephone: 0300 244 4000