Islay better connected via Shared Rural Network
March 13, 2026
A second Shared Rural Network total not spot site is now live, this time boosting mobile connectivity on Islay in Scotland. The publicly funded 4G mast brings mobile service from all operators to parts of the island that previously had no signal from any operator. This new site addresses one of Scotland’s most persistent mobile not spots.
The new site was built by EE and will deliver commercial coverage from all four operators, including Three, Virgin Media O2 and Vodafone to island residents, businesses and visitors across parts of Kinlchoman, Machrie, Rockside, Aruadh, Ballinaby, Smaull, Braigo, Sanaigmore, Carnduncan, Grainel, Lyrabus, Gruinart and Craigens. It also provides new coverage to 14 kilometres of roads, paths and tracks.
For the first time, reliable 4G from all operators is now available at key locations, including Machir Bay, Saligo Bay, Loch Gorm and Cultoon Stone Circle, as well as along the western coast of Islay. This increased coverage improves safety for those travelling or working in remote areas, including seafarers and fishermen passing by and working near the island.
The mast is located near Kilchoman, on the west of the island, and was delivered under the publicly funded total not spot element of the Shared Rural Network programme. This partnership between the UK Government and the mobile network operators is expanding mobile coverage to rural and hard‑to‑reach areas across the country. This second total not spot site follows the first going live on Uist, and the December 2025 announcement of all mobile operators delivering public coverage from 100 shared Extended Area Service masts, originally built to support the Emergency Services Network (ESN), also delivered as part of the Shared Rural Network. Island communities have long experienced mobile coverage challenges, and addressing total not spots is a key focus of the Shared Rural Network programme.
Ben Roome, CEO of Mova, commented: “People want a connection they can rely on, wherever they are. In less populated, rural, areas, modern 4G does that brilliantly. This site brings mobile broadband to parts of Islay that haven’t had it, making day‑to‑day life a bit easier for the people who live, work and visit.”
Telecoms Minister, Liz Lloyd, said: “Fast and reliable mobile coverage is absolutely essential for modern life. It helps our emergency services respond to incidents, keeps our businesses growing, and makes it easier for local communities to stay in touch with one another. Thanks to the government’s Shared Rural Network Programme, every part of the UK – including Islay’s rural not spots that have previously had no mobile coverage – can finally make the most of the digital age.”
Since the Shared Rural Network programme began in 2020, an additional 37,000 square kilometres are now receiving coverage from all four operators, EE, Three, VMO2 and Vodafone.