- 227 further rural areas of Scotland set to benefit from 4G by 2024 under the Shared Rural Network programme – including 21 in Dumfries and Galloway
- EE delivered a new 4G service in 11 areas of Dumfries and Galloway in the past twelve months
- Ofcom report confirms EE has Scotland’s largest 4G network, with considerable lead over other mobile operators
EE has built or upgraded eleven 4G sites in Dumfries and Galloway since December 2021, with locations including Newton Stuart, Kircowan, Polskeoch, Moniaive, Moffat, Glenmidge, Sanquhar and Dalton receiving improved coverage.
Overall in Scotland, EE has given nearly 120 sites 4G coverage over the last 12 months, as part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) initiative to extend coverage in rural areas across the UK.
EE, part of BT Group, plans to deliver 21 more 4G upgrades to Dumfries and Galloway by 2024 – and a further 227 in Scotland overall.
Locations in Ericstane, Ecclefechan, Gretna Green, Carsphairn, Broomlands, Palnackie, Gatehouse of Fleet, Middleshaw, Langholm, Monaivie, Croalchapel, Sanquhar, Springholm and Mosspeeble are among sites set to go love in Dumfries and Galloway by 2024.
The investment constitutes the latest expansion of EE’s 4G coverage across remote parts of the UK. In total across the UK, EE has upgraded 1,362 sites since the SRN deal was signed in March 2020, bringing improved connectivity to each UK nation.
The Shared Rural Network – an agreement between the UK’s four mobile network operators and UK Government – is aiming to extend 4G coverage to 95% of the UK’s geography by 2025.
The upgrades have helped increase significantly 4G coverage in rural Scotland and increased EE’s lead as Scotland’s largest 4G network.
Ofcom’s latest report on connectivity across the UK showed that EE has the highest levels of 4G coverage across Scotland’s landmass at 75%, compared to the nearest competitor at 67%.
Philip Jansen, Chief Executive of BT Group, said: “BT is committed to ensuring that even the most remote areas of the country are connected. Despite a challenging economic environment, we’re continuing to invest in rural infrastructure to achieve that.
“EE’s 4G has expanded by 500 square miles over the past year and we continue to be the sole provider of mobile services in many areas of the UK.”
The 119 rural areas of Scotland that have received 4G upgrades from EE via the SRN in the last 12 months include:
- 26 locations in Highland
- 15 locations in Argyll and Bute
- 15 locations in Scottish Borders
- 11 locations in Dumfries and Galloway
- 9 locations in Aberdeenshire
- 5 locations in Perth and Kinross
- 5 locations in South Lanarkshire
- 5 locations in Fife
Specific locations include:
- Loch Naver, Alltnaharra, Highland
- A98, Boyndlie, Aberdeenshire
- B9008, Auchnarrow, Tomintoul, Moray
- A82, Luss, Loch Lomond, Argyll and Bute
- A82, Invergloy, Loch Lochy, Highland
- A7, Broadhaugh, Scottish Borders
- A1, Grantshouse, Deanfoot, Scottish Borders
- Garhouse of Fleet, A75, Dumfries and Galloway
- A9, Auchterarder, Gleneagles, Perth and Kinross
The 227 further rural locations that are to have 4G upgrades from EE by 2024 will include around 80 in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, 39 in the North East and the remaining around the country.
Specific locations to receive 4G upgrades by 2024 include:
- Glen Cottage, A896, Torridon, Highland
- Braemar, A93, Cairngorms National Park, Aberdeenshire
- Mid Clyth, Caithness, Highland
- A74, Ecclefechan, Dumfries and Galloway
- A887, Invermoriston, Loch Ness, Highland
- Lochgilphead, A83/A816, Argyll and Bute
- Glen Nevis Youth Hostel, Glen Nevis, Fort William, Highland
Road Network
Many of the upgrades have helped improve coverage throughout Scotland’s road network, a key benefit of the Shared Rural Network programme.
People using the motorway network, or driving along key ‘A’ roads, will see considerable improvements to 4G coverage in rural Scotland.
Roads getting better coverage from EE under the programme include:
- M74 (main road between Glasgow and S Scotland/England)
- A1 (main road between Edinburgh and Berwick Upon Tweed)
- M9 – main road between Edinburgh and Glasgow
- A7 – main road in Scottish Borders
- A82 and A82 – both roads heading to Highlands and Islands
- A75/A76 – main roads in Dumfries and Galloway
