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:
- 14 Dec 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.
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.
We are delighted to confirm that six sites previously removed from the programme have been reinstated, with the programme having now secured the interest of a mobile network operator(s) in using the sites. The sites are: Garvald, Carrine, Applecross Forest, Bruray, Crinan and Balmacara
Sites live
Position on the sites map |
Site location |
Progress update |
2 |
Blairmore | 4G services are now available from EE. |
4 | Ettrick | 4G services are now available from Vodafone and O2. |
6 | Strathconon | 4G services are now available from EE. |
7 | New Luce | This mast is complete. 4G services are now available from Vodafone, and 4G services will be available from EE in the coming months. |
18 | Selivoe | 4G services from EE are now available. |
21 | Little Mill | 4G services from EE are now available. |
Sites currently at Build Stage
Position on the sites map |
Site location |
Progress update |
1 |
Collieston |
Construction work has completed. 4G services from EE are expected to be available spring 2021. |
3 | Manish | Construction work is underway. 4G services from EE are expected to be available summer 2021. |
5 |
Lemreway |
Construction work is completed. 4G services from EE are expected to be available early 2021. |
8 |
Tarskavaig |
Construction is completed. 4G services from EE are expected to be available early 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. |
10 | Bunessan | Construction work is completed. 4G services from EE are expected to be available spring 2021. |
11 | Traquair | Construction work is underway. 4G services from EE are expected to be available summer 2021. |
12 |
Glenbarr |
Construction is completed. 4G services from EE are expected to be available early 2021. |
13 | Ae | Construction work is underway. 4G services from EE are expected to be available summer 2021. |
14 | Glencripesdale | Construction is completed. 4G services from EE are expected to be available spring 2021. |
15 | Polbain | Construction work is underway. 4G services from EE are expected to be available summer 2021. |
16 | Killilan | Construction is completed with a power connection ongoing. 4G services from EE are expected to be available summer 2021. |
17 | Chapeltown | Construction is completed. 4G services from EE are expected to be available spring 2021. |
19 |
Whitropefoot |
Construction work has completed. 4G services from EE are expected to be available early 2021. |
20 | Ranish | Construction work is underway. 4G services from EE are expected to be available next year. |
22 | Loch Head | Construction work is underway. 4G services from EE are expected to be available next year. |
23 | Auchenhessnane | Construction work is completed with fibre and power connections ongoing. 4G services from EE are expected to be available Summer 2021. |
25 | Cairngarroch | Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and EE has agreed to use this site. Construction work has started late November. |
28 | Inverchoran | Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and EE has agreed to use this site. Construction work will commence in December. |
29 | Rackwick | Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and EE has agreed to use this site. Construction work will commence in January. |
33 | Baymore | Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and EE has agreed to use this site. Construction work will commence in January. |
34 | Deerness | Construction is completed with the transmission connection ongoing. 4G services from EE are expected to be available summer 2021. |
36 | Bruray | Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and EE has agreed to use this site. Construction work has started late November. |
Sites at Pre-Build Stage
Position on the sites map |
Site location |
Progress update |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
43 |
Garvald | Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and an MNO has just recently agreed to use this site. Build will commence early next year. |
44 | Carrine | Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and an MNO has just recently agreed to use this site. Build will commence early next year. |
45 | Applecross Forest | Planning permission and landowner consents are in place, and an MNO has just recently agreed to use this site. Build will commence early next year. |
46 | Balmacara | 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 6 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
|
41 | Bruray |
42 | Crinan |
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
- Deanburnhaugh
- Arnisdale
- Stronachlachar
- Ham
- Drummuir
- Bettyhill
- Mallaig
- Kilchoman
- Cuidrach
- Clova
- Garvald (Mendick)
- Kinlochard
- Berneray Harbour
- Eriskay
- Strathyre
- Watten
- Clachan Seil
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: DigitalPMO@gov.scot
Post:
Scottish Government
Connectivity, Economy and Participation Division
Atlantic Quay
Glasgow
G2 8LU
Telephone: 0300 244 4000