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 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

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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