The commitment was made as part of a reception recently held at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood. The reception was attended by Members of the Scottish Parliament, as well representatives from relevant trade associations, think tanks and media.
Attendees heard that Scotland stands to gain £9 billion in productivity benefits by 2030 from the rollout of 5GSA technology – the next generation mobile network.
At the event, attendees also heard from Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade, and Rachael Hamilton MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands. They talked about the value of a nationwide 5G rollout to Scotland.
This follows research by Vodafone UK which found that 91 per cent of Scotland's rural areas are total 5G not-spots, compared to just 20 per cent of Scotland’s urban areas. Vodafone also identified significant regional disparities, with a rural area in Scotland 62 per cent more likely to have no 5G at all, compared to a rural area in England.
Hamilton said, "I was delighted to sponsor Vodafone UK’s Digital Society event in the Scottish Parliament. Sadly, there is a digital divide between urban and rural areas in Scotland, with 42 per cent of rural properties in 5G total not spots. I was therefore pleased to hear about Vodafone UK's plans to roll out a 5G network across Scotland. This would deliver significant benefits and opportunities for people, communities and businesses in rural areas, such as in my constituency in the Borders."
Lochhead said, "Improving Scotland’s digital infrastructure and driving adoption of technologies across the economy and public sector is an ambition which Vodafone and the Scottish Government share. Digital connectivity connects us to friends and family, enables flexibility in the workforce and workplace and keeps us informed and entertained. Through collaborative working with the mobile industry to increase access to 4G and 5G, we can support a fair, green and growing economy and transform our public services."
Andrea Dona, chief network officer at Vodafone UK, said, "Connectivity is vital for everyone – whatever their postcode – and this new research reveals the extent to which people in rural Scotland are experiencing digital exclusion. Evidently, we need to accelerate the rollout of 5G infrastructure to all of Scotland. With our proposed merger with Three UK, we would be able to bring 5G SA to over 89 per cent of the Scottish landmass by 2034, ensuring rural Scotland is not left behind."