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Mobile masts upgraded to boost 4G in rural Scotland

PA Media The top of a vertical mobile mast. It's a black pole covered in wires and communication technology. There's a blue sky in the background.PA Media
About 40 more new masts are expected to be installed by 2027

More than 30 mobile masts have been upgraded across Scotland as part of a scheme to improve 4G coverage in rural areas.

The Shared Rural Network (SRN) is a jointly-funded programme by the UK government and mobile network operators EE, Virgin Media, O2 and VodafoneThree.

A total of 105 mobile masts have been upgraded across the UK - 33 are in Scotland, in areas like the Highlands and the Borders. Up to 44 more new masts are planned for Scotland before January 2027.

Telecoms Minister Liz Lloyd said the investment would help rural areas "attract the investment, jobs and tourism they need to thrive."

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The areas where the masts have been upgraded include Dumfries and Galloway, the Borders, the Highlands, Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire and Angus.

It has been estimated that the masts across the UK will bring outdoor 4G signal coverage to an area equivalent to more than 2.5 times the size of Greater London.