9 February 2024: Initial plans developed in 2021 suggested that approximately 300 new sites would be needed to deliver coverage improvements in Scotland as part of the Shared Rural Network’s Total Not Spot programme, which will tackle areas where there is currently no 4G coverage from any operator.
Since then, survey teams from all four operators and their suppliers have been on site conducting Kick Off Visits (KOVs) and Multi Skilled Visits (MSVs) to make final site assessments. Through these vital site visits we now expect to need fewer masts than originally planned, whilst still delivering the necessary coverage targets. The importance of carrying out these initial site surveys can not be overstated, being able to physically carry out investigations allows a final decision to be made on whether to progress with a mast in that location and identify the best location for all parties.
The list of proposed locations shared by Nature Scot in response to an FOI request regarding proposed locations in Wild Land Areas (198) is out of date and does not reflect the current SRN plan. Almost all proposed locations listed have either been removed from the plan (47) or moved location as a result of site investigations (148). As sites enter the planning process they will be available on the relevant LPA’s planning portal.
