News / 4G coverage for Lerwick and Weisdale
SHETLAND is slowly stepping further into the world of 4G technology after two phone networks switched on high speed mobile internet in two areas of the isles.
On Thursday (20 October) Vodafone went live with 4G in an area of Lerwick, while a day earlier O2 switched it on for customers in the Weisdale area of the Shetland mainland.
They are the latest companies to bring high speed mobile internet to the isles after EE set the trend in April by launching the service in Lerwick ahead of anticipated Shetland-wide coverage in summer 2017.
O2 added that it hopes to bring 4G to Lerwick in the coming weeks, while they have also upgraded 2G and 3G services in the Westside.
Vodafone is expected to now begin rolling out 4G across other areas in Shetland.
The two networks previously agreed to share masts, with the companies having just under 20 sites between them in Shetland at present.
Kim Moran-Hogg, regional business head for Scotland for Vodafone UK, said the addition of 4G to Shetland should help local businesses to flourish.
“We are committed to supporting the Shetland Islands’ diverse economy, helping businesses of all sizes across a multitude of industries from farming to oil, textiles to tourism, to be innovative and confidently connected,” she said.
Derek McManus, chief operating officer of O2 owners Telefónica UK, added: “O2 customers in Weisdale will now be able experience faster mobile internet on their devices such as streaming high definition TV, shopping on the go, and video calling.”
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