Edward Mountain calls on mobile service providers to improve Highland coverage

Edward Mountain has today called on service providers to improve network coverage in the Highlands, after Vodafone told him there were no plans to bring signal to the ‘total not-spots’ he had highlighted.

Edward Mountain met with Vodafone in January to discuss their merger with Three, at which time he highlighted several locations where he had noticed new black spots for signal – in Aberlour, Glenfarclas, and Rothes. Vodafone responded that there ‘are currently no plans for new sites in… the three areas’, citing topology as one contributing factor to the difficulty in upgrading the network. They acknowledged that they were aware of shortages in the Highlands, including ‘total not-spots’.

Edward Mountain warned today that the Highlands could be ‘left behind’ if issues such as these were not identified and targeted, and conveyed his disappointment that there are currently no plans to improve the situation local communities face.

Edward Mountain also urged service providers to be transparent and to work with locals regarding the construction of new masts.

A rural area in Scotland is 62% more likely to have no 5G at all than a rural area in England, and 27 out of 28 Scottish constituencies are either total or partial 5G ‘not-spots’.

Vodafone’s goal is to have 89% 5G standalone coverage in Scotland within the next 10 years, which they claim will boost the economy by up to £9 billion. Vodafone currently has 0.3% coverage in Scotland, and will be investing £6 billion across the UK over the next five years. The Scottish Government’s 5G strategy includes reaching 99% coverage by 2034.

Scottish Conservative Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain said:

“I am disappointed in this response from Vodafone, who appear to have no clear plan for the Highlands and are not taking the initiative to locate and target these so-called ‘total not-spots’.

“Mobile companies are keen to highlight the importance of 5G in boosting the productivity of businesses and public services. However, if they do not have the plans in place to provide better coverage, the forecast £9 billion boost to the economy will not be realised.

“Rural depopulation is a huge issue in Scotland, for which infrastructure can act as a preventative measure.

“If Vodafone are going to meet their goal of 89% 5G coverage in Scotland within the next 10 years, they have serious work to do to ensure that the Highlands are not left behind.

“I will continue to press digital infrastructure providers to ensure they focus on the opportunities, rather than the problems, in Highland networks.”