More masts to cover 4G ‘notspots’ in rural areas

MORE than a dozen areas in Scotland with no access to 4G coverage have been identified in a £25million project to improve mobile connectivity.

The Scottish 4G Infill programme will pay for new mobile masts in ‘notspots’ without access to service.

Most of the initial 16 sites are in the Highlands and islands, with others in Aberdeenshire, Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian and the Borders.

The Scottish Government said the final sites will be agreed as part of the procurement process and up to 70 locations are set to have improved coverage by the end of the project.

In December, an Ofcom report said only 17 per cent of Scotland had 4G coverage, compared with 60 per cent for England.

Connectivity Secretary Fergus Ewing said: ‘The programme will target areas where it can make the most difference.’