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.
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’s Scottish 4G Infill Programme (S4GI) is a £28.75 million initiative delivering 4G infrastructure and services in 55 mobile “notspots” in rural and island parts of Scotland. S4GI is being delivered in partnership with WHP Telecoms, Cellnex UK and the Scottish Futures Trust. S4GI 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 S4GI programme.
Live sites
|
Position on the sites map |
Site location |
Progress update |
|
1 |
Collieston (Aberdeenshire Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
2 |
Blairmore (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2 and Vodafone. |
|
3 |
Manish (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
4 |
Ettrick (Scottish Borders Council) |
4G services are now available from Vodafone and VMO2. |
|
5 |
Lemreway (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
6 |
Strathconon (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
7 |
New Luce (Dumfries & Galloway Council) |
4G services are now available from VMO2, Vodafone and EE. |
|
8 |
Tarskavaig (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
9 |
Applecross (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
10 |
Bunessan (Argyll & Bute Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
11 |
Traquair (Scottish Borders Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2 and Vodafone |
|
12 |
Glenbarr (Argyll & Bute Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
13 |
Ae (Dumfries & Galloway Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2 and Vodafone. |
|
14 |
Glenborrodale,formerly referred to as Glencripesdale (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
15 |
Polbain (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
16 |
Killilan (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
17 |
Chapeltown (Moray Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
18 |
Reawick, formerly referred to as Selivoe (Shetland Islands Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
19 |
Whitropefoot (Scottish Borders Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
20 |
Ranish (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2 and Vodafone. |
|
21 |
Littlemill (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
22 |
Loch Head (Dumfries & Galloway Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2 and Vodafone. |
|
23 |
Auchenhessnane (Dumfries & Galloway Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
24 |
Bogton Turriff (Aberdeenshire Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2 and Vodafone. |
|
25 |
Cairngarroch (Dumfries & Galloway Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2 and Vodafone. |
|
26 |
Brecklate (Argyll & Bute Council) |
4G services are now available from EE |
|
27 |
Elgol (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE |
|
28 |
Inverchoran (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE |
|
29 |
Rackwick (Orkney Islands Council) |
4G services are now available from EE |
|
30 |
Ardlussa (Argyll & Bute Council) |
4G services are now available from EE |
|
31 |
Craighouse (Argyll & Bute Council) |
4G services are now available from EE |
|
32 |
Lochbuie (Argyll & Bute Council) |
4G services are now available from EE |
|
33 |
Baymore (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
34 |
Deerness (Orkney Islands Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2 and Vodafone. |
|
35 |
Skerray (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
36 |
Burray (Orkney Islands Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2 and Vodafone. |
|
37 |
Crinan (Argyll & Bute Council) |
4G services are now available from 3UK. |
|
38 |
Bruray (Shetland Islands Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
39 |
Condie (Perth & Kinross Council) |
4G services are now available from EE |
|
40 |
Garvald (East Lothian Council) |
4G services are now available from Vodafone and VMO2. |
|
41 |
Carrine (Argyll & Bute Council) |
4G services are now available from Vodafone and VMO2. |
|
42 |
Ham (Shetland Islands Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
43 |
Balmacara (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from Vodafone, VMO2 and EE. |
|
44 |
Deanburnhaugh (Scottish Borders Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2 and Vodafone. |
|
45 |
Stronachlachar (Stirling Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
46 |
Achosnich (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
47 |
Corrie Common (Dumfries & Galloway Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
48 |
Sourhope (Scottish Borders Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
49 |
Inverie (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
50 |
Kenmore (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
52 |
Clova (Angus Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
53 |
Ellemford (Scottish Borders Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
54 |
Cawdor (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
55 |
Stronsay (Orkney Islands Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
Sites currently at the build stage
|
Position on the sites map |
Site location |
Progress update |
|
51 |
Druimindarroch (Highland Council) |
Construction is underway and EE have agreed to use this site. 4G services from EE are expected to be available later in autumn 2023 |
Removals from the S4GI Programme
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, Berneray Harbour: removed as commercial services by EE were found to be available in the area.
** Applecross Forest: removed as another mast which is expected to provide 4G services has recently been constructed 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.
|
Carrick Castle* |
Eriskay |
|
Pennan† |
Strathyre |
|
Outertown |
Watten |
|
Hoy |
Clachan Seil |
|
Arnisdale |
Cuidrach |
|
Drummuir |
Charlestown‡ |
|
Bettyhill |
Muircroft‡ |
|
Garvald (Mendick) |
Cullipool‡ |
|
Blackhill |
Berneray Harbour* |
|
**Applecross Forest |
Rottal |
|
Kilchoman |
The Craigs |
|
Kinlochard |
|
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, VMO2, 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
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