Orkney is one of the first places in Scotland to benefit from the Scottish Government’s actions to improve mobile coverage.

The Scottish 4G Infill Programme will fund new mobile telephone masts in locations with no existing 4G mobile coverage.

£25million is invested in the project , developed by Scottish Futures Trust, which will eventually see between 60 and 70 areas seeing the improvement in their mobile coverage.

Peter Reekie Scottish Futures Trust Chief Executive said:

“Over the last 3 years, SFT has been working closely with Industry to create a collaborative platform for the development of a publicly funded intervention to extend 4G coverage into the more remote rural areas of Scotland. This has enabled SFT to take into consideration their feedback, build on the experience gained from our pilot projects and incorporate the lessons learnt from similar programmes.

“After the successful bidder has been selected, SFT looks forward to working with them and the mobile network operators to identify as many 4G notspots that can be addressed within the programme’s budget. The deployment of future proofed mast infrastructure will then act as the catalyst to deliver good quality 4G coverage to those areas for the benefit of the local communities, businesses and tourists.”

Fergus Ewing Connectivity Secretary in the Scottish Government said:

“The Infill programme will target the areas where it can make the most difference, achieving better and cost-effective connectivity in some of our most remote and challenging areas.”