4G boost for rural Scotland

New analysis has revealed that a Scottish Government programme to install 55 4G mobile phone masts in rural and island communities has improved home life, work life and business performance.

As a result of the £28.75 million Scottish 4G Infill (S4GI) project, around 2,200 homes and businesses now have a faster mobile internet connection.

Highlighted benefits include wider online customer bases for businesses and better connectivity for communities during broadband outages.

Surveys and focus groups also pointed out flexible working patterns, improved employee productivity and easier access to online learning materials and jobs.

The programme targeted long-standing mobile phone signal blackspots across the country, including Bruray in Shetland to Cairngarroch in Dumfries & Galloway.

On a visit to Nith Valley Alpaca Farm in Dumfries & Galloway, employment and investment ninister Tom Arthur said: “Although Telecoms responsibility is reserved to the UK Government, the Scottish Government has long recognised the vital importance of good digital connectivity – both for work, for business and for day-to-day life.

“S4GI is an excellent example of strategic investment delivering multiple benefits. This is about creating opportunities for businesses, improving daily life and ensuring no one - even the hardest to reach - is left behind in the digital era.

“The availability of 4G services has proven to be transformational for residents and businesses in these 55 areas included as part of the programme, and we are sharing the lessons learned through months of complex build and collaboration with the UK Government so that they may benefit the ongoing rollout of the Shared Rural Network programme.”