EE made headlines by launching a new mobile tower on the Isle of Skye, strategically placed in a forested area to reduce visual disruption. Transported by helicopter, this mobile tower now provides 4G coverage to approximately 330,000 square meters in the central and northern parts of the island.
The primary aim of this deployment is to enhance safety, especially for lone workers and tourists who might need emergency services. It also supports local businesses by boosting the local economy. Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer at BT Group, highlighted the importance of the new infrastructure: “This new mast is part of our ongoing commitment to help close the digital divide and ensure that the benefits of reliable 4G connectivity are more widely felt by rural communities in every corner of the UK.”
Local usage of the site is already significant, especially during Storm Bert, where traffic surged. EE reported the tower as one of the most active sites in the region.
Deploying mobile towers via helicopter, though not common, is sometimes the only feasible solution for remote areas like the Hebrides. Last year, Virgin Media O2 adopted a similar approach, deploying six masts on Islay and another on Skye earlier this year, marking their 100th site deployment through the Shared Rural Network programme.
