Orkney to receive 4G coverage next year?

Mobile phone provider EE has said it will introduce 4G and improve 3G coverage in Orkney by the end of 2017.

Alex Jackman, EE public affairs manager, made the announcement at a meeting of the Orkney Digital Forum in Kirkwall today.

He said: “We are investing £1.5 billion across the UK. What that means for Orkney is a refresh of our existing sites on 2G, 3G and we’ll be adding 4G on all of those sites through investment in sites over the next couple of years.”

He said EE hoped to introduce 4G to the Kirkwall area this summer and is looking at new installation sites for equipment.

According to Mr Jackman, the majority of the Orkney Mainland will receive 4G, while other areas, such as Westray would receive 3G.

In closing the forum meeting, Alistair Carmichael MP said that he remained sceptical, adding that “he’d believe it when he saw it.”

He said: “However, it sounds as if we are to see the fruition of the promises made a couple of years ago.”