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

The Scottish Government’s Scottish 4G Infill Programme (S4GI) is a £28.75 million initiative delivering 4G infrastructure and services in up to 55 mobile “notspots” in rural and remote parts of Scotland. S4GI is being delivered in partnership with WHP Telecoms Ltd. 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	4G services are now available from EE.
2	Blairmore	4G services are now available from EE.
3	Manish	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.
9	Applecross	4G services are now available from EE.
10	Bunessan	4G services are now available from EE.
11	Traquair	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.
15	Polbain	4G services are now available from EE.
16	Killilan	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.
20	Ranish	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.
23	Auchenhessnane	4G services are now available from EE.
24	Bogton Turriff	4G services are now available from EE.
25	Cairngarroch	4G services are now available from EE.
33	Baymore	4G services are now available from EE.
34	Deerness	4G services are now available from EE.
35	Skerray	4G services are now available from EE.
36	Burray	4G services are now available from EE.
43	Balmacara	4G services are now available from Vodafone and O2.

Sites currently at the build stage

Position on the sites map	Site location	Progress update
26	Brecklate	Construction is completed. 4G services from EE are expected to be available in spring 2023
27	Elgol	Construction is completed with power connected and transmission connection ongoing. 4G services are expected to be available from EE in spring 2023.
28	Inverchoran	Construction is completed. 4G services from EE are expected to be available in spring 2023.
29	Rackwick	Construction is completed with transmission connection ongoing. 4G services are expected to be available from EE in spring 2023.
30	Ardlussa	Construction is complete. 4G services from EE are expected to be available in spring 2023.
31	Craighouse	Construction is complete. 4G services from EE are expected to be available in spring 2023.
32	Lochbuie	Construction is complete with power complete and fibre connections ongoing.   4G services are expected to be available from EE in spring 2023.
37	Crinan	Construction is complete with power and fibre connections ongoing. 4G services from 3UK are expected to be available in spring 2023.
38	Bruray	Construction is complete with power complete and transmission connection ongoing. 4G services are expected to be available from EE in spring 2023.
39	Condie	Construction is complete with power complete and transmission connections ongoing. EE has agreed to use this site. 4G services are expected to be available from EE in spring 2023.
40	Garvald	Construction is completed with fibre completed and power connection ongoing. Vodafone and O2 have agreed to use this site and 4G services expected to be available later in early 2023.
41	Carrine	Construction is completed.  Vodafone and O2 have agreed to use this site and 4G services expected to be available in early 2023.
42	Ham	Construction is complete with power complete and transmission connection ongoing. O2 4G services are expected to be available from EE in spring 2023.
44	Deanburnhaugh	Construction is complete with power complete with transmission connection ongoing.  EE has agreed to use this site and 4G services. 4G services are expected to be available from EE in spring 2023.
45	Stronachlachar	Construction is complete with power and transmission connection ongoing. 4G services are expected to be available from EE in spring 2023.
46	Achosnich	Construction is complete with power and transmission connections ongoing. 4G services are expected to be available from EE in spring 2023.
47	Corrie Common	Construction is underway and EE have agreed to use this site. Once build is complete, we will be able to forecast service availability.
48	Sourhope	Construction is complete with power complete and transmission connection ongoing.  4G services are expected to be available from EE in spring 2023.
49	Inverie	Construction is underway and EE have agreed to use this site. Once build is complete, we will be able to forecast service availability.
50	Kenmore	Construction is complete and transmission connection ongoing. EE have agreed to use this site. 4G services are expected to be available from EE in spring 2023.
52	Clova	Construction is complete with power complete and fibre connection ongoing. 4G services are expected to be available from EE in spring 2023.
53	Ellemford	Construction is complete. EE has agreed to use this site and 4G services expected to be available later in spring 2023.
54	Cawdor	Construction is complete with power complete and fibre  connections ongoing. EE have agreed to use this site and 4G services are expected to be available later in spring 2023
55	Stronsay	Construction is complete with power complete and transmission connection ongoing. 4G services are expected to be available from EE in spring 2023.

Sites at the pre-build stage

Position on the sites map	Site location	Progress update
51	Druimindarroch	Planning Permission and landowner consents are in place with build to be scheduled.

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, 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.

tor 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.

Map of programme sites: February 2023

File type

1 page PDF

File size

2.9 MB