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
The Scottish Government’s Scottish 4G Infill Programme (S4GI) is a £28.75 million initiative which has delivered 4G infrastructure and services in 55 mobile “notspots” in rural and island parts of Scotland. S4GI was delivered in partnership with WHP Telecoms, Cellnex UK and the Scottish Futures Trust. S4GI was part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support activity in the Highlands and Islands.
All mast sites in the programme are now live and delivering 4G services. We are pleased to report the following progress as regards which mobile network operators’ services are available at each location.
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, VMO2 and Vodafone. |
|
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, EE and 3UK. |
|
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, VMO2 and Vodafone. |
|
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, VMO2, Vodafone and 3UK. |
|
16 |
Killilan (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
17 |
Chapeltown (Moray Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2, Vodafone and 3UK. |
|
18 |
Reawick, formerly referred to as Selivoe (Shetland Islands Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2 and Vodafone. |
|
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, VMO2, Vodafone and 3UK. |
|
22 |
Loch Head (Dumfries & Galloway Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2, 3UK and Vodafone. |
|
23 |
Auchenhessnane (Dumfries & Galloway Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2, Vodafone and 3UK. |
|
24 |
Bogton Turriff (Aberdeenshire Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2, Vodafone and 3UK. |
|
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, VMO2 and Vodafone. |
|
30 |
Ardlussa (Argyll & Bute Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2 and Vodafone. |
|
31 |
Craighouse (Argyll & Bute Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2 and Vodafone |
|
32 |
Lochbuie (Argyll & Bute Council) |
4G services are now available from EE |
|
33 |
Baymore (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) |
4G services are now available from 3UK, EE, VMO2 and Vodafone. |
|
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, VMO2, Vodafone and 3UK. |
|
40 |
Garvald (East Lothian Council) |
4G services are now available from Vodafone, 3UK and VMO2. |
|
41 |
Carrine (Argyll & Bute Council) |
4G services are now available from 3UK, Vodafone and VMO2. |
|
42 |
Ham (Shetland Islands Council) |
4G services are now available from EE and 3UK. |
|
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, VMO2 and Vodafone and 3UK. |
|
46 |
Achosnich (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2 and Vodafone. |
|
47 |
Corrie Common (Dumfries & Galloway Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2, Vodafone and 3UK. |
|
48 |
Sourhope (Scottish Borders Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2, Vodafone and 3UK. |
|
49 |
Inverie (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2 and Vodafone. |
|
50 |
Kenmore (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2, Vodafone and 3UK. |
|
51 |
Druimindarroch (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
|
52 |
Clova (Angus Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2 and Vodafone. |
|
53 |
Ellemford (Scottish Borders Council) |
4G services are now available from EE and 3UK. |
|
54 |
Cawdor (Highland Council) |
4G services are now available from EE, VMO2 and Vodafone. |
|
55 |
Stronsay (Orkney Islands Council) |
4G services are now available from EE. |
Removals from the S4GI Programme
During the programme’s delivery phase, regrettably, we had 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 (MNOs) had 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 subsequently providing 4G services had 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 planned 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
During the programme’s delivery phase, building a mobile mast from initial site selection to the final switch-on was a lengthy process involving several important stages. These could be complex and could 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 were:
- 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. was involved in intensive discussions with potential landlords, planning authorities, communities and mobile network operators in relation to all the mast sites to achieve these three consents.
During this process the exact site location was determined. This could have differed from the indicative locations denoted by national grid references previously published by the Scottish Government.
All three of these consents had to be in place before any physical mast build took place. At that stage, we will be were first able to give an indicative timeline for delivery of mobile services.
If all three consents were not achieved, then regrettably that site was unable to progress. However, we kept such sites under review in case circumstances changed.
Mobile masts also require a power supply and backhaul (ideally using fibre or alternatively a microwave connection back to national telecoms networks). Both had to be at a cost that was affordable within the overall programme budget. In parallel with the site acquisition process, WHP Telecoms Ltd. was in 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 were in place, the mast progressed to the construction phase. Once completed, the mobile network operator was then able to complete the process by installing their equipment and switching on the service.
Whilst delivery of all 55 masts in the programme is now complete, we will provide quarterly progress updates on this website with the latest information on what MNOs are providing 4G services from the masts.
Contact
Email: digitalconnectivity@gov.scot
Post:
Scottish Government
Connectivity, Economy and Participation Division
Atlantic Quay
Glasgow
G2 8LU
Telephone: 0300 244 4000