Angus MacNeil SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar is welcoming confirmation from Vodafone that 4G will be delivered to the islands within the next two years.

Mr MacNeil has continued to maintain pressure on the UK Government and highlight the need for 4G coverage in the Western Isles.

In Na h-Eileanan an Iar, this will mean that 4G will be delivered to the islands. The benefits of better mobile connectivity are already noticeable in Tarbert, who have access to the Vodafone 3G rural open sure signal.

Vodafone state that these improvements will be dependent on the roll out and availability of good quality broadband fibre which is needed to connect mobile masts to Vodafone’s core network.

 

Commenting Angus MacNeil MP said:

“Having recently met with Vodafone I am encouraged to hear that our islands will benefit from 4G as part of Vodafone’s multi-billion pound investment cycle to improve coverage across Scotland and the rest of the UK.

“This is a big step forward.  Vodafone tell me that these improvements will be dependent on the roll out and availability of good quality broadband fibre, which is needed to connect mobile masts to Vodafone’s core network and ensuring that planning permission and sustainable rental agreements with landlords can be agreed to access the land where network equipment is placed and build or upgrade the masts and hopefully expand the network on the islands.

“I will be writing to BT too to work with Vodafone to ensure both work hand in hand so that the fibre framework is in place to support broadband.”