LONDON, July 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
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Dozens of4Gmast upgradeshave been activatedthanks toUK Governmentfunding through the Shared Rural Network,helping putan end to poorphonesignal for rural communities across Scotland
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Better mobile coverage will support rural businesses to respond to customers, managedeliveriesand keep staff connected, while helping local communities access services, stay in touch and get help more quickly in emergencies
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Recent upgrades includepopular destinationssuch asthe Isles of Arran, Islayand Jura, Dukes Pass in Trossachs National Park and Tarbert on the Kintyre 66 route - with the50th site now benefitting Highland communities on the remote Ardnamurchan peninsula.
Finding a decent mobile signal in rural Scotland is now easier than ever,with50UK Government-funded 4Gmastsnow switchedonto boost signal in some of the country's hardest-to-reach communities.
Scotlandhassome of the UK's toughest mobile coverage challenges. Its rural landscape, remote islands, scatteredcommunitiesandmountainousterrain make improving mobile signal more complex and costly than elsewhere, contributing to Scotland being the least connected of the UK's four nations,according to coverage predictionssubmittedto Ofcom by mobile networkoperators.
That is why the Shared Rural Network-a partnership between the UK Government and mobile network operators to improve mobile signal in rural areas across Great Britain- is targeting some of the places where coverage is hardest to deliver.UK Government funded upgrades are now providing 4G coverage from all four mobile network operators across more than 1,900sqkm of rural Scotland, an arealarger than Edinburgh and Glasgow combined.
The 50th mast was activatednear the remoteWestHighlandsettlement of Branault on theArdnamurchanpeninsula, where stronger 4G will help residents, visitors and local businesses stay connected, access online services and get help more quickly in an emergency, regardless of which mobile network they use.
The upgrades- which arealmost allto existing masts to protect Scotland's natural beauty -arebenefitingrural communities across Scotland, fromtheHighlands to Galloway and from the Cairngorms tothe Outer Hebrides.
Better mobile coverage will help rural businesses, including Scotland's tourism and outdoor economy, stay connected with customers,suppliersand staff across large or remote areas. Some of the most recent upgrades willbenefitpopular destinations including Tarbert on the Kintyre 66 route and Dukes Pass in Trossachs National Park, one of Scotland's most scenic roads, as well as the isles of Islay,Juraand Arran.
UKtelecomsminister Liz Lloyd said:
Scotland's mountains,islandsand remote rural communities have made it one of the hardest places in the UK to deliver reliable mobile coverage-but our investment is helping to change that.
By switching on dozens more 4G masts through the Shared Rural Network, we are tackling long-standing blackspots and giving more people across rural Scotland the coverage they need to stay in touch, run businesses and get help in an emergency.
Reliable mobile coverage can be vital in rural and remote areas, where people may need to call for help after an accident, contact emergency services quickly, or share their location while travelling,workingor exploring outdoors. It will also make everyday life easier for residents, visitors and businesses by helping them access online services,keep in touchwith family and colleagues, usemapsand travel information, and stay connected on the move.
Across Great Britain,UK Government funding has activated more than 140 4G masts through theShared Rural Network. The programmemainly upgradesexisting masts to boost rural connectivitywhilepreservingnatural landscapes, with new masts built only where no suitable infrastructure exists.
The UK Government's investment in fast, reliable gigabit-capable broadband has also connected more than 153,000 homes and businesses in Scotland's hardest-to-reach areas that might otherwise have missedout.
Ben Roome, Mova CEO said:
Good growth depends on good connectivity. Every community should be able tobenefitfrom the opportunities that digital infrastructure creates, regardless of geography. Reaching 50 government-funded sites in Scotland means more people, businesses and visitors can stay connected, access services and participate fully in modern life.
Kirsty McNeill, UK Government Minister for Scotland said:
Reaching 50 UK Government-fundedmastsin Scotland is a milestone for rural communities who have put up with poor or non-existent mobile signal for too long.
From the islands of Arran,Islayand Jura to the Trossachs and beyond, this investment is making a practical difference to people's lives, whetherthat'srunning a business,keeping in touchwith loved ones, or getting help quickly in an emergency.
The Shared Rural Network is delivering for Scotland, and we're not stopping here.
Notes to editors
Upgraded mast locations
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Lockerbie - Dumfriesshire,Clydesdaleand Tweeddale
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Ettrick Valley -Berwickshie, Roxburgh and Selkirk
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Ayrshire - Ayr,Carrickand Cumnock
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Crosslee - Selkirk, Scottish Borders
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Duns - Scottish Borders
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Kelso - Roxburghshire
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Lockerbie - Dumfries & Galloway
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Campbeltown - Argyll and Bute
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West Buccleuch -Berwickshire,Roxburghand Selkirk
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Acharacle- Argyll and Bute
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Southend, Campbeltown - Argyll and Bute
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A849, Isle of Mull - Argyll and Bute
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Minor road from A848, near Salen, Isle of Mull
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Brechin - Angus and Perthshire Glens
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Forestry Track of A890 Strome Ferry near Kyle of Lochalsh - Inverness,Skyeand West Ross-shire
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Bothwell Hill - Berwickshire,Roxburghand Selkirk
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Tundergarth- Dumfriesshire,Clydesdaleand Tweeddale
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Girvan - South Ayrshire
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Kirriemuir - Angus
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Newton Stewart - Dumfries and Galloway
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Duns - Lothian East
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Land off B8007, NearGlenborrodale- Argyll,Buteand South Lochaber
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Off B8083,Srathaird, nearElgol- Isle of Skye
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LangburnSheils, Hawick - Roxburghshire
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Strathconnan- Muir of Ord
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Camas-Luinie- Near Dornie
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Lammermuir- Scottish Borders
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Off B955, Kirriemuir - Angus,
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NearDykehead- Angus
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Innerleithen - Scottish Borders
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Tarskavaig- Isle of Skye
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Near Heriot - Scottish Borders
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Kinlochspelve- Isle of Mull
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Southend, Campbeltown - Argyll & Bute
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Land atBunessan- Isle of Mull
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NearKingie, Glen Garry, PH35 4HS - Inverness,Skyeand West Ross-shire
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Torrin - Isle of Skye
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Isle of Jura - Argyll & Bute
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Jedburgh ,Roxburghshire
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Isle of Jura, Argyll & Bute,
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Strathcarron- Inverness,Skyeand West Ross-shire
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Barr - Ayrshire
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Kelsay - Isle of Islay
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Newcastleton- Roxburghshire
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Tarbert - Argyll,Buteand South Lochaber
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Dukes Pass - Stirling
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Loch Muick - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
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Strathconon, Contin - Ross-shire
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Sliddery, Arran - North Ayrshire
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Branault, WestArdnamurchan
About the Shared Rural Network
The Shared Rural Network is a partnership between the UK government and mobile network operators. It aims to improve mobile coverage in rural areas across the UK. The programme reached its target of delivering to 95% of UK landmass a year ahead of schedule.
Since the programme launched, investment from mobile network operators and the UK Government has increased 4G coverage in Scotland from at least one mobile network operator from 80% in 2019 to 90% today, with coverage expected to reach 91% by the end of the programme.Coverage from all network operators has increased from 41% to 71%.
Emergency Services Network (ESN)
The government-funded masts referenced in this press notice are being built by the Home Office to support the new Emergency Services Network (ESN).The government and mobile network operators have been working with the Home Office and the mobile network operators to upgrade these masts to provide commercial coverage from all UK mobile network operators.Learn more about the ESN from theEmergency Services Network
Mobile Network Operator investment
As part of the Shared Rural Network the mobile network operators have also invested in their own mast network tackling 'partial not spots'.These are areas where customers can only access 4G if they are signed up with a mobile network operator that is active in that area. This work has already delivered significant coverage improvements across the UK and successfully completed last year.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
