A report published today from Open Signal has shown a significant gap between Scotland and the rest of the UK when it comes to receiving 4G mobile signals.
Mobile coverage measurement firm OpenSignal found smartphone users north of the border could only access 4G 50.4% of the time on average.
This placed it eighth out of 12 areas of the UK reviewed in its State of Mobile Networks. Scotland also sat eighth in the table for 4G download speeds, with average speeds of 21.1Mbps.
In June the Scottish Government announced a plan to work with the mobile industry to maximise commercial investment in 4G mobile in Scotland with the intention of supporting 5G-ready infrastructure across the country.
Commenting Liz Smith MSP said:
“Today’s findings confirm what many already know and that is Scotland is less well-equipped with mobile internet capability than the rest of the UK.
“Within Scotland itself there is also a significant divergence between urban and rural residents.
“In Perth and Kinross many residents struggle to make calls let along open Google and the Scottish Government must move quickly to close down this digital divide. The data on the Open Signal website shows that towns like Comrie and Pitlochry have virtually no 2G and 3G signal let alone 4G capability.
“Fast and efficient mobile internet connections are becoming essential to modern living and it is high time that rural areas were equipped with better digital infrastructure.”