First 4G mast erected in £15m project to bring mobile coverage to Scottish blackspots

Written by Liam Kirkaldy on 20 February 2020 in News
News

Government-backed infrastructure scheme begins work in Wigtownshire

Credit: Piqsels

The first telecoms mast aimed at providing 4G to areas of Scotland with no mobile coverage is now operational in New Luce, Wigtownshire.

The first of up to 24 scheduled to be rolled out across Scotland over the next two years, the mast will provide 4G, 3G and 2G services.

Supported by £15m in Scottish Government funding and £10m from the European Regional Development Fund, the Scottish 4G Infill (S4GI) Programme was established in 2018 to address Scotland’s mobile ‘notspots’ – areas with no mobile coverage.

The project is being delivered by WHP Telecoms, managed by the Scottish Futures Trust.


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The Scottish Government’s minister for energy, connectivity and the islands Paul Wheelhouse said: “While telecommunications is a responsibility of UK ministers, improving mobile coverage is vital to achieving the Scottish Government’s ambition to make sure everyone in Scotland has access to high-speed, reliable coverage.

“People in New Luce are the first to benefit but we hope that, like Wigtownshire, many more remote and rural parts of Scotland and Scotland’s islands will soon enjoy improved, cost-effective connectivity as a result of the Scottish Government’s work with industry and other partners, and our investment in the £25m S4GI programme.”

About the author

Liam Kirkaldy is online editor at PublicTechnology sister publication Holyrood, where this story first appeared. He tweets as @HolyroodLiam.

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