'It's still not a hundred per cent' - rural Aberdeenshire businesses react to extended 4G coverage

An Aberdeenshire business says their internet is "still not a hundred per cent", after 4G mobile phone coverage was expanded in dozens of rural locations.

Bogton is the latest of 55 mobile “notspots” to receive an internet mast through the Scottish 4G Infill programme.

The mast will provide greater 4G coverage to the area. It is hoped the enhanced internet will benefit local businesses and communities in Turriff, Bogton and Forglen.

Aidan Johnston, a technician at AJ I.T Services in Turriff, said: “Most of my business is done through Facebook or my website.

“A bad internet connection means I can’t reply to customers, which ultimately dictates if I secure customers or not.

“I can lose revenue, but also productivity as I back up most of my business online.

“Better internet means businesses can do much more. We don’t just need fast connection, it must be reliable too.

“This would help keep business running as smoothly as possible. Time is money and poor performance ultimately leads to unhappy customers.”

Kimberly Murray, of Murray Housebuilders near Forglen, said: “We’ve been out here for more than ten years, and the situation has gradually gotten worse and worse.

“You’d come in and you wouldn’t be able to access emails or online banking. This meant we struggled to properly pay suppliers and staff.

“We need to print out building plans, often sent by email, to go out to the site. If we can’t get the plans our employees can’t get on with their work.

“Sometimes suppliers need paying right away. Sometimes this is near impossible, and it can take an hour to get onto online banking and pay someone.

“I can now access things a lot better. It’s still not a hundred percent, I still have to go out into the yard if I want 4G on my phone.”

Bogton’s mast is the 28th to be built through the programme, marking its halfway point.

The government is on track to build 27 more masts by 2023.

Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said: “The availability of 4G services has proven transformational for members of these communities.

“Communities have taken advantage of new connectivity to enhance how they work, talk with friends and family, access public services, purchase products and services and consume entertainment.

“The Scottish Government is helping more residents and workers get online and tackling some of Scotland’s longest standing mobile phone signal black spots.”

Service is being provided by mobile network operator EE in all but one of the sites.

This is the second mast to have been built in Aberdeenshire. The first was built in Collieston in 2021