Residents urged to ID telephone blackspots

Island MP Angus MacNeil is urging residents to come forward and identify blackspots for telephone coverage.

The area around Grimsay in North Uist has been identified as part of Wilkinson Helsby Projects Telecoms Ltd’s (WHP) contract with the Scottish Government to deploy crucial and essential mobile coverage.

Funding has been committed by the Scottish Government and secured from European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support such activity in the Highlands and Islands region.

Mr MacNeil said: “I was informed by WHP who are involved in telecommunications that they are proposing a welcome telephone installation in Grimsay, North Uist for 4G, a ‘not-spot’ where 4G is currently unavailable, this is very welcome but I would encourage constituents to inform WHP and I of other places where there may be ‘not spots’ and infilling.

“This is part of a Scottish Government contract to deploy crucial mobile coverage – probably on the EE, BT network. It is a 21st century requirement and something we need for day to day business and of course crucially in emergency situations.

“I will respond to Telecoms consultation on this project and will highlight any further ‘not spots’ brought to my attention by constituents.”

WHP are exploring solutions to some issues which may arise such as technical constraints, availability of power, availability of land, any other cost constraint and attracting a mobile operator but the site identified is at Baymore, Grimsay, North Uist.

WHP was awarded the contract by the Scottish Government to acquire, build and operate the passive infrastructure such as the base, mast, power supply and transmission link required to attract mobile operators to deploy sites in Not Spots where otherwise it would not be financially viable to do so.

If you would like to highlight a 4G ‘Not Spot’ within Na h-Eileanan an Iar please email WHP at [email protected] and CC to [email protected]