EE has partnered with the Scottish Government, the Scottish Futures Trust and WHP Telecoms to bring 4G sites to two locations in Dumfries and Galloway.
These sites are part of the Scottish Government’s £28.75 million Scottish 4G Infill programme (S4GI) which is delivering 4G infrastructure and services in so-called ‘not-spots’ in rural Scotland, providing 4G connectivity to areas which previously had no coverage.
Delivered by the S4GI programme, the new sites will provide vital connectivity in Loch Head and Ae. Scottish Emergency Services and Mountain Rescue will be able to access a reliable 4G mobile service for the first time, as well as residents, visitors and businesses.
Kate Forbes, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, said: “It’s great that more communities in Dumfries and Galloway are now benefiting from improved mobile coverage, and my thanks go to our partners including EE for their work in making this happen.
“Digital connectivity is crucial to Scotland’s economic and social recovery. In an area renowned for agriculture and rich tourism attractions, extending this network helps future-proof the health and livelihoods of local rural communities and during this current pandemic keeps people connected and safe.”
“The Scottish Government’s £28.75 million S4GI programme continues to deliver at pace and with 13 masts now live across Scotland, I look forward to seeing more rural communities and businesses accessing mobile connectivity for the first time.”
For Ae resident and Managing Director of Dumfries-based Molplant Construction, Alan Newbigging, 4G has transformed daily life: “Myself and the local community are delighted that an S4GI mast has been constructed next to the village. Whilst the village is only around 50 houses, along with several farms and the Forestry Commission, the benefits to the area are enormous.
Ae Forest is a magnet for walkers, cyclists and downhill racers, with 5000 – 10,000 visitors a year to the area. Whereas before there was limited or no mobile phone coverage, there is now good network coverage, enabling visitors and the local community to keep connected when they need it most.”
Martyn Cheyne, WHP Strategic Development Director, commented: “WHP Telecoms is pleased to have facilitated reliable coverage to these parts of Dumfries and Galloway for the first time by providing robust future proofed infrastructure from which EE is now delivering 4G coverage. We, at WHP, welcome other operators to share this site reducing the amount of infrastructure required in the landscape, increasing coverage and choice for everyone.”
By the summer of 2023, the Scottish Government’s S4GI programme is anticipated to deliver up to 55 masts, including those supporting the Emergency Services Network roll-out.
EE has recently completed the build of its 600th new site for the Emergency Services Network, and upgraded more than 19,500 sites to 4G, as EE continues to invest in providing dedicated 4G voice and data coverage for more than 300,000 emergency service users across Scotland, England and Wales.
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