What discussions it has had with mobile broadband providers regarding the rollout of superfast, 3G mobile broadband to all areas of North E…

As set out in Scotland’s Digital Future – Infrastructure Action Plan, published on 31 January 2012, improving mobile phone and broadband coverage across the whole of Scotland is a priority for the Scottish Government. Whist the Scottish Government has not yet had specific conversations about mobile broadband coverage in specific areas, we continue to have discussions with the mobile operators about improving coverage in Scotland.
However, the Scottish Government currently has no powers to set improved levels of mobile coverage as telecoms regulations in the UK is reserved. Coverage obligations fall within mobile operators’ licence conditions, and Ofcom, the UK telecoms regulator, is responsible for ensuring that operators fulfil their licence condition requirements. All operators are meeting the 3G coverage obligations contained within their respective licence conditions.
On 24 July 2012, Ofcom announced its plans for the forthcoming 4G auctions. During Ofcom’s consultation phase, the Scottish Government successfully made representations regarding the setting of coverage targets – both a UK-wide coverage target of 98% and for a specific coverage level to be achieved in all four UK nations. With regards to the latter, a 95% indoor coverage level has now been set – which is a considerable improvement to the coverage targets originally proposed by Ofcom in 2011.