McArthur presses ministers on 4G connectivity

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has pressed the cabinet secretary for infrastructure and capital investment, Nicola Sturgeon, on the need to ensure the roll out of 4G mobile networks does not leave rural and remote areas, including Orkney, at the back of the queue.

Although the auction of 4G licences will be a matter for UK ministers, their counterparts in the Scottish Government insist there has been regular dialogue over this issue in recent months.  Mr McArthur sought to reinforce the need for governments north and south of the border to ensure that those with the poorest mobile phone coverage at present are not simply left further behind as a result of 4G roll-out.

He said: “There is a real risk that the roll-out of 4G mobile licences will simply widen the digital divide that currently exists between urban and many rural areas.  The implications of this are serious, not just in terms of business competitiveness.  In Orkney, good mobile and broadband connections are vital for the delivery of public services, including healthcare, and can make a real difference in persuading people to move to or remain in the islands.”

Mr McArthur added: “While we welcome that some improvements were made to the initial proposals about how many people have to be covered by the new 4G network, we feel that this will inevitably still leave many remoter areas poorly served, including Orkney.  This is something that both the UK and Scottish Governments need to work hard to address.”