A £28.75 million project to install 55 4G phone masts in rural or island communities has improved connectivity, a report has found.
The Scottish Government’s 4G infill project benefited around 2200 homes and businesses, granting them faster internet connections.
Consultants Stantec carried out an evaluation of the S4GI programme, which was designed to reduce the digital divide between rural and urban communities in Scotland.
Its report said: “Overall, the research suggests that the S4GI programme has helped to reduce the digital divide and deliver this objective.
READ MORE: SNP membership numbers fall but party posts £600,000 budget surplus
“However, while on the whole connectivity has improved, some people/businesses continue to experience difficulties in part due to topography and/or weather, and it is evident that S4GI had at the time the research was carried out not been able to deliver/facilitate the same level of consumer choice in terms of the number of operators as that of more populated locations with the result that there remains a level of inequality.
“It is noted though that since the research was carried out, customer choice has improved.”
Employment and investment minister Tom Arthur (below) said: “S4GI is an excellent example of strategic investment delivering multiple benefits.
“This is about creating opportunities for businesses, improving daily life and ensuring no-one – even the hardest to reach – is left behind in the digital era.
“The availability of 4G services has proven to be transformational for residents and businesses in these 55 areas included as part of the programme, and we are sharing the lessons learned through months of complex build and collaboration with the UK Government so that they may benefit the ongoing rollout of the shared rural network programme.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel