EE Brings 4G Mobile to the Remote Island of Coll in Scotland

EE has announced that they’ve switched-on their 4G Mobile network for premises on the remote Inner Hebrides Isle of Coll, which is home to just a couple of hundred people. Mind you they weren’t the first to do this (Vodafone has had a community supported 4G service on the island since 2015).

Apparently the 4G coverage from EE will also enable the delivery of the planned Emergency Services Network (ESN) on Coll, which is currently scheduled to go live in late 2017. This will enable police, fire and ambulance crews to communicate and stay connected on 4G.

All of this also plays into EE’s commitment to connect 95% of the UK’s landmass, including in some of the most extreme reaches of the country. Recently five new 4G sites were switched on in the Orkney Islands, as well as sites on the neighbouring Shetland Isles, with more sites planned to connect the whole of Scotland.

Mansoor Hanif, EE’s Network Director, said:

“The challenging conditions and unique site on Coll demonstrate the innovation and engineering excellence of BT Group’s network team, bringing mobile to communities that have little or no connectivity. We’re delighted to bring EE’s superfast 4G to the businesses and residents of Coll so they can stay connected on the UK’s biggest and most reliable mobile network.”

However it’s worth pointing out that the community run organisation Development Coll has already worked with Vodafone and the Scottish Government to roll-out a 4G service to the majority of Coll (original news), albeit via a “rock-anchored” 15m high lattice mast at Cnocan Na Ban (positioned in the middle of the island).

The Vodafone using service is supported by the installation of a Microwave (radio) link on Glengorm (Isle of Mull), although sadly EE do not make clear if they’ve adopted a similar approach (we think they’re using this). So far as we are aware the Vodafone service is continuing to run, although there have been concerns about its long-term financial viability.