Mobile

Ensuring high quality mobile connectivity across all of Scotland is a priority for the Scottish Government. A range of publicly-driven programmes and investments are contributing to this effort, improving mobile connectivity nationwide.

Scottish 4G Infill Programme (S4GI)

The Scottish 4G Infill Programme (S4GI) is a £28.75 million Scottish Government programme which has brought 4G coverage for the first time to 55 long-standing mobile “notspots” in rural and island areas of Scotland. Delivery of the programme took place from 2018 to 2023. 

You can find out more about the 55 areas connected through the programme and which mobile network operators offer service in these areas. You can also read the Scottish Government evaluation of the S4GI programme.

Shared Rural Network (SRN) 

The Shared Rural Network (SRN) is a programme being delivered by the UK Government and the four mobile network operators - EE, Three, Virgin Media O2 and Vodafone - which aims to increase geographic mobile coverage in Scotland to 91% by 2027.

The Scotland 5G Centre  

The Scotland 5G Centre (S5GC) was established by the Scottish Government in 2019 alongside publication of our 5G Strategy, to bring together academia, industry, and government to accelerate the deployment of 5G and support the adoption of advanced communication technologies across Scotland.

Over six years, the S5GC played a national role in enabling innovative use cases, linking entrepreneurs with small and medium-sized enterprises, and demonstrating the transformational impact of 5G and data-driven solutions across multiple sectors.

As the communications landscape evolves towards 6G, including greater emphasis on space-based connectivity and AI-enabled solutions, the S5GC and its national network of innovation hubs have now concluded their operational activities. The founding partners (the University of Strathclyde, the University of Glasgow and the Scottish Futures Trust) continue to pursue collaborative opportunities to support advanced communication technologies that deliver inclusive innovation and long term economic impact for Scotland.

Information about the S5GC’s past activities and achievements remains available on scotland5Gcentre.org, and enquiries can still be made via info@scotland5gcentre.org, which will be received by representatives of the founding partners.