A national mobile network is planning to deliver 20 more 4G upgrades to areas in Perth and Kinross by 2024.
Locations in Fruix, Auchterarder, Buchanty, Trochry, Fowlis Wester, Dunkeld, Guildtown and Powmill, are among the sites that are set to go live by next year.
The investment constitutes the latest expansion of EE’s 4G coverage across remote parts of the UK.
EE has already built or upgraded five 4G sites in Perth and Kinross since December 2021, with locations including Gleneagles, Pitcairngreen, Struan, Auchterarder, St Fillans and Methven receiving improved coverage.
Overall in Scotland EE, part of BT Group, has given nearly 120 sites 4G coverage over the last 12 months, as part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) initiative to extend coverage in rural areas across the UK.
In total across the UK, EE has upgraded 1362 sites since the SRN deal was signed in March 2020, bringing improved connectivity to each UK nation.
The Shared Rural Network – an agreement between the UK’s four mobile network operators and UK Government – is aiming to extend 4G coverage to 95 per cent of the UK’s geography by 2025.
Philip Jansen, chief executive of BT Group, said: “BT is committed to ensuring that even the most remote areas of the country are connected.
“Despite a challenging economic environment, we’re continuing to invest in rural infrastructure to achieve that.
“EE’s 4G has expanded by 500 square miles over the past year and we continue to be the sole provider of mobile services in many areas of the UK.”
The 227 further rural locations that are to have 4G upgrades from EE by 2024 will include around 80 in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, 39 in the North East and the remaining around the country.
The upgrades have helped increase significantly 4G coverage in rural Scotland and increased EE’s lead as Scotland’s largest 4G network.
Ofcom’s latest report on connectivity across the UK showed that EE has the highest levels of 4G coverage across Scotland’s landmass at 75 per cent, compared to the nearest competitor at 67 per cent.
