Research: Scottish staycation boom boosted by O2 upgrades
July 3, 2025
As millions of Brits head on a staycation this summer, O2 is ensuring that customers visiting many of Scotland’s most remote holiday spots can stay connected. With nearly half of Brits (48 per cent) planning a domestic getaway, and one in three saying mobile coverage influences their destination, upgraded 4G and 5G coverage is helping travellers stay online.
O2 has boosted 4G and 5G network capacity in more than 13,000 Scottish postcodes in the last 12 months, including some of the UK’s most remote destinations. The upgrades extend to popular tourist centres, with 782 upgraded postcodes in Edinburgh and major improvements in coverage across the Highlands. On top of this, O2 has recently installed small cells in Perth, as well as switching on its next-generation 5G standalone network in Stirling.
O2 has recently brought reliable connectivity to many unique Scottish tourist destinations that previously had none. These include:
· Corrour Station, the UK’s highest and most remote railway stop, famously featured in the movie Trainspotting
· Barra Airport, the only airport in the world with a scheduled beach runway and tidal timetable
· Loch Ossian Eco Hostel and Glen Affric Hostel, reachable only by foot or bike
The announcement comes as new research commissioned by O2 found 48% per centof Brits are planning a staycation in Scotland this summer. Amid the cost-of-living crisis, 41 per cent are staying in the UK to save money, while 25 per cent are opting for Scotland so their pets can join the adventure. Cultural influences also play a role, with 13 per cent inspired by TV and films shot in Scotland – from Outlander to The Traitors and Trainspotting.
The research also reveals that while many Brits are eager to get off the beaten track, they don’t want to go entirely off-grid. Some 62 per cent worry about getting lost without GPS, while over half (55 per cent) fear not being able to find or contact their accommodation. Nearly half (48 per cent) are concerned about locating nearby places to eat, drink or explore, and 43 per cent say streaming music or podcasts is key to their holiday experience. For families, almost a third (31 per cent) say reliable mobile signal is essential to keeping children entertained during travel.
With the average Scottish ‘staycationer’ planning to spend an average of £721, and 28 per cent of UK holidaymakers planning a trip north of the border, Scotland could see a tourism boost of more than £5 billion this summer alone. Thanks to improved 4G and 5G coverage across the country, even remote getaways are now better supported by strong, reliable mobile connectivity.
Dr Robert Joyce, Director of Mobile Access Engineering, at O2, commented: “Scotland has always been one of the most beautiful and remote destinations in the UK but now it’s better connected than ever before. Thanks to O2’s Mobile Transformation Plan, whether they’re hiking the Highlands, flying into Barra, or visiting a rural island, visitors can stay connected when and where it matters most.”
These upgrades are part of O2’s Mobile Transformation Plan, which will see the operator invest approximately £700m this year to future-proof its mobile network. The plan is focused on expanding 4G and 5G coverage, a dedicated small cells rollout to boost capacity in dense urban areas, and innovative solutions to address persistent network pain points including along railway lines, at airports, on motorways, and in stadiums and arenas.
O2 also recently announced that it had agreed a deal with Vodafone to acquire 78.8 MHz of spectrum, bringing the operator’s total spectrum holding to approximately 30 per cent of UK mobile spectrum and materially enhancing the company’s network position.
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