Supplier chosen for Scottish Government 4G ‘notspots’ programme

Thurso promenade - Image credit: Reinhard Dietrich, Wikimedia Commons

A supplier has been chosen for a Scottish Government programme to improve 4G mobile connectivity across Scotland.

WHP Telecoms will carry out the Scottish Government’s £25m Scottish 4G Infill Programme, which aims to tackle mobile ‘notspots’.

The Warrington-based company, which also has an office in Bellshill, will set up masts in parts of rural Scotland that currently have no 4G connectivity.

Initially 16 locations have been chosen, from Shetland to Dumfries and Galloway, with 60 to 70 areas to be targeted in the course of the project, the majority in parts of the Highlands and islands that are completely without coverage.

The overall programme will take place over four years, beginning in 2018-2019.

Scottish Government connectivity minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “As part of our Mobile Action Plan we have legislated to reduce planning controls making it easier for operators to deploy new or existing infrastructure, and we are considering further actions in this regard.

“Our Scottish 4G Infill Programme is a critical part of the Mobile Action Plan.

“We are working towards having the grant agreement with WHP Telecoms Ltd signed within the next week and we intend to make a deployment timescale available as soon as possible, to help inform local stakeholders on delivery.”

A spokesperson for WHP Telecoms said the company was “delighted to have been awarded this prestigious contract which will address connectivity issues in some of Scotland’s most remote and rural areas”.