EE UK Boost 4G Mobile Coverage in Scotland with 90 New Masts

Mobile operator EE (BT) has completed the construction of its 90th brand new mast site in Scotland within the last 12 months, which has helped to boost their 4G landmass (geographic) network coverage in the country to more than 75%. By comparison EE’s overall landmass coverage of the UK is 90%.

The operator now intends to build a further 200 sites in Scotland over the coming months, as well as upgrading some existing sites that currently only provide 2G. The most recent new sites to go live cover Carsphairn (Dumfries and Galloway), Loch Tarff and Gorthleck (The Highlands), Lamlash (Isle of Arran), Sandwick (Shetland Isles) and Tarland and Ballogie (Aberdeenshire).

The new sites, many of which are in areas that have previously not been covered by any operator, also form part of EE’s £1.2bn contract with the government to provide coverage for the new Emergency Services Network (ESN), which will connect 300,000 UK emergency services personnel with 4G voices and data services across Britain. Rivals including Vodafone, Three UK and O2 should also be able to make use of masts built for the ESN.

The also means that a rising number of rural areas should be able to access faster Mobile Broadband speeds.

Fergus Ewing MSP, Scotland’s Connectivity Secretary, said:

“I welcome EE’s investment in its Scottish network, which will help meet the sizeable challenge of expanding mobile coverage to rural and remote areas. This investment shows that our Mobile Action Plan is working by creating the appropriate conditions to encourage such investment. Alongside our £25 million Scottish 4G Infill programme, which is currently in procurement, these commitments will expand mobile coverage across Scotland.

Although there is still work to do in ensuring good connectivity in rural areas, we are determined to work alongside commercial investors to ensure that everyone has access to 4G coverage.”

So far as we’re aware EE still hopes to extend their landmass coverage to 95% of the UK by the end of December 2020. Key roads across Scotland will also benefit from the on-going coverage improvements, including sections of the A75, A9, A82 and A86.