4G, Scottish Government says
Muthu Ramadoss
4G, Scottish Government says
- Posted by Edita Lozovska
According to a representative of theScottish Government, the UK is not doing enough to ensure that Scotland gets sufficient 4G mobile broadband coverage of 98 per cent or more.
Dave Thompson said that instead of taking time and funds to blanket Scotland with the next generation portable internet, costlier solutions such as satellite or fibre optic broadband are being given more attention by the UK Government.
In more detail, MSP Thompson said, as reported by the Strathspey and Badenoch Herald news source:
“Without 4G coverage to enable delivery of superfast broadband, this would have to be provided via a ridiculously expensive fibre optic cable network or a satellite link.
“While the Scottish Government is doing everything it possibly can, this recommendation by Ofcom for Westminster is not helping. The 98 per cent UK requirement must also hold for Scotland too.
“I have been contacted by a leading digital communications company which specialises in provision via the 4G network to express its concern about the level of coverage in Scotland.”
Thomson then quoted that it was Arqiva, who gave him the stats which showed that although 98 per cent of the UK will be covered by 4G services, Scotland, if held separately, will only get 90 per cent of the blanket, which is by far not warm enough for the nation.
“That missing 10 per cent would predominantly be found in the country’s sparsely populated and difficult to cover areas, such as the West Highlands and Islands.
“That is why I believe that the Scottish Parliament must press for the 98 per cent target to be met in each of the devolved nations too but unfortunately that is a matter reserved to Westminster.”
Broadbandwatcher is keen to see whether or not Westminster will react to MSP Thomson’s comments.
take care,
Muthu Ramadoss.
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