A Scottish Government programme to install 55 4G mobile phone masts in rural and island communities has, according to surveys and focus groups, improved home life, work life and business performance.

Around 2,200 homes and businesses now have a faster mobile internet connection through the £28.75 million Scottish 4G Infill (S4GI) project, claimed to be the first and biggest project of its kind to have been completed to date in the UK.

Residents and business owners highlighted a range of benefits since the programme’s completion, including wider online customer bases for businesses and better connectivity for communities during broadband outages.

Surveys and focus groups also flagged flexible working patterns, improved employee productivity and easier access to online learning materials and jobs. Access to 4G connection was given as a factor for people remaining in or moving to the areas.

S4GI targeted long-standing mobile phone signal blackspots across the country, from Bruray in Shetland to Cairngarroch in Dumfries & Galloway. Construction of the masts was carried out by WHP Telecoms and Cellnex UK. The programme was project managed by Scottish Futures Trust.

Employment and investment minister Tom Arthur, commented: “Although Telecoms responsibility is reserved to the UK Government, the Scottish Government has long recognised the vital importance of good digital connectivity – both for work, for business and for day-to-day life.”

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“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.”