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, according to new analysis.
Around 2,200 homes and businesses now have a faster mobile
internet connection through the £28.75 million Scottish 4G Infill
(S4GI) project – the first and biggest project of its kind to
have been completed to date in the UK.
Residents and business owners highlighted a range of benefits
since the programme's completion, including wider online customer
bases for businesses and better connectivity for communities
during broadband outages.
Surveys and focus groups also flagged flexible working patterns,
improved employee productivity and easier access to online
learning materials and jobs. Access to 4G connection was given as
a factor for people remaining in or moving to the areas.
S4GI targeted long-standing mobile phone signal blackspots across
the country, from Bruray in Shetland to Cairngarroch in Dumfries
& Galloway. Construction of the masts was carried out by WHP
Telecoms and Cellnex UK. The programme was project managed by
Scottish Futures Trust.
Employment and Investment Minister visited Nith Valley Alpaca Farm
in Dumfries & Galloway to hear how 4G connectivity was
benefitting the business.
He 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.”
Thornhill local resident and owner of Nith Valley Alpaca Farm
Deborah Maxwell said:
“Since opening in 2017, we have relied on online marketing to
help our business grow. Now, with a reliable mobile connection
more visitors can find out about our farm.
“Thanks to the S4GI mast, visitors can find out where we are
located, look at our website and see our posts on Facebook and
Instagram.
“The 4G has also meant that customers have easier access to the
internet while at the farm – meaning that we have also seen an
increase in customers posting images of the farm and alpacas
online, as well as positive reviews.”
Operations Director at Cellnex UK Mark Bartlett said:
"Cellnex UK is proud to be the telecoms infrastructure partner
for the S4GI programme, which has improved both economic and
social opportunities for so many individuals and businesses
throughout rural Scotland.
“Access to digital connectivity is increasingly critical in
today's society, with many essential services, such as education,
healthcare and financial assistance becoming digitised, as well
as many jobs requiring online applications or remote working
capabilities.
“With 55 areas within Scotland's most remote communities now
benefiting from reliable 4G services, we have made great progress
in our mission to ensure that no one, nowhere is left behind when
it comes to digital connectivity."
Background
Scottish 4G Infill
Programme Evaluation
The Scottish 4G Infill programme was financed by £17.48 million
of Scottish Government funding and £11.27 million from the
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which support build
activity in the Highlands and Islands. The successful deployment
of S4GI is a result of collaborative efforts between the Scottish
Government, WHP Telecoms, Cellnex UK, the Scottish Futures Trust
and UK's Mobile Network Operators (EE, Three, Virgin Media O2 and
Vodafone). For more information, see the Scottish Government
S4GI webpages.
