Scottish 4G infill programme: progress update

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.

Following a pause in build and site activities which came into effect on 23 March 2020, work has now resumed following current Covid 19 guidelines. 

Sites live
 

Position on the sites map	Site location	Progress update
7	New Luce	This mast is complete. 4G services are now available from Vodafone, and the Programme is working with a further operator to share this site.

Sites currently at Build Stage

Position on the sites map	Site location	Progress update
1	Collieston	Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and a 4G mobile network operator has agreed to use this site. Construction work will commence in September.
2	Blairmore	Construction work has completed.  4G services from EE are expected to be available later this year.
3	Manish	Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and a 4G mobile network operator has agreed to use this site. Construction work will commence in September.
4	Ettrick	Construction of the mast is completed. 4G services from Vodafone and O2 are expected to be available by October.
5	Lemreway	Construction has commenced, and a 4G mobile network operator has agreed to use this site.
6	Strathconon	Construction of the mast is complete, and the Programme is working with the operator to bring the site into service
8	Tarskavaig	Construction is completed.  The Programme is working with the operator to bring the site into service.
9	Applecross	Construction is completed with transmission connection ongoing.  Programme is working with the operator to bring the site into service.
10	Bunessan	Construction has commenced, and a 4G mobile network operator has agreed to use this site.
11	Traquair	Construction has commenced, and a 4G mobile network operator has agreed to use this site.
12	Glenbarr	Construction is completed and the Programme is working with the operator to bring the site into service.
13	Ae	Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and a 4G mobile network operator has agreed to use this site. Construction work will commence in September.
14	Glencripesdale	Construction is completed and the Programme is working with the operator to bring the site into service.
16	Killilan	Construction has commenced, and a 4G mobile network operator has agreed to use this site.
17	Chapeltown	Construction is completed but the power connection is awaited.
18	Selivoe	Construction work has completed.  4G services from EE are expected to be available later this year.
19	Whitropefoot	Construction is completed and the Programme is working with the operator to bring the site into service.
20	Ranish	Construction has commenced, and a 4G mobile network operator has agreed to use this site.
21	Little Mill	Construction work has completed.  4G services from EE are expected to be available later this year.
22	Loch Head	Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and a 4G mobile network operator has agreed to use this site. Construction work will commence in October.
23	Auchenhessnane	Construction has commenced, and a 4G mobile network operator has agreed to use this site.
34	Deerness	Construction has commenced, and a 4G mobile network operator has agreed to use this site.

Sites at Pre-Build Stage

Position on the sites map	Site location	Progress update
15	Polbain	Planning permission is in place and we have reached an agreement with a 4G mobile network operator to use the site. Once agreement with a landowner is reached, we will provide further updates with an indicative delivery timescale.
24	Bogton Turiff	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.
25	Cairngarroch	Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and a 4G mobile network operator has agreed to use this site. Construction work will commence in October.
26	Brecklate	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.
27	Glasnakille	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.
28	Inverchoran	Planning permission is in place and we have reached an agreement with a 4G mobile network operator to use the site. Once agreement with a landowner is reached, we will provide further updates with an indicative delivery timescale.
29	Rackwick	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.
30	Ardlussa	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.
31	Craighouse	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.
32	Kinlochspelve	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.
33	Baymore	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.
35	Skerray	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.
36	Burray	Planning permission is in place and we have reached an agreement with a 4G mobile network operator to use the site. Once agreement with a landowner is reached, we will provide further updates with an indicative delivery timescale.

Potential additional candidate sites

We are investigating the addition of the following 4 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.

Position on the sites map	Site location
37	Muircroft
38	Cullipool
39	Charlestown
40	Blackhill

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. 

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

• 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
• Balmacara

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.