Work continues on bringing 4G to Skerries and Foula

WORK is continuing on plans to bring 4G masts to the island communities of Skerries and Foula, as well as a similar ‘notspot’ location on Shetland’s west side.

Three sites – Bruray in Skerries, Ham in Foula and Selivoe on the west side – feature in a Scottish Government programme to deploy 4G mobile internet to areas without any network coverage.

Responding to a question from local MSP Tavish Scott, minister for energy, connectivity and the islands Paul Wheelhouse said that preparatory work is underway to secure landowner agreements and planning permission for the Shetland sites.

“However, as with other target locations, masts will only be built when there is a firm commitment in place from at least one mobile network operator to deliver services from each site,” he said.

“We continue to engage proactively with mobile operators to encourage them to support the programme.”

The site in Skerries was part of the programmes’s initial 16 target sites and one 4G mobile network operator has expressed interest in using the site.

The sites at Ham and Selivoe, which were formally added to the programme in February, do not yet have have interest from an operator.

There are a total of 45 locations across the country included in the Scottish 4G infill programme.