Moray MSP Richard Lochhead calls for quick opening of new 4G mast at Glenlivet
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Moray’s MSP is pressing communications companies EE and Openreach to speed up the completion of a new 4G mast at Glenlivet.
Richard Lochhead says that with the new lockdown now in place it is vital for the area which at the moment either has slow, or in some cases, no significant internet connectivity.
This makes online learning for children especially challenging.
It also prevents households from accessing services such as home delivery of groceries.
Richard Lochhead says he has been in contact with the companies who have confirmed that the mast is essentially complete.
It now only awaits final power and fibre connections before it can be turned on.
Mr Lochhead said: "Just before Christmas I received confirmation that the completion of the mast is imminent with an expected date of February for the service to be running.
"Although it is positive that this connectivity is going to be made available, the community had expected the connection to be activated well before now.
"With the Stay at Home Covid restrictions now in place there is added urgency.
"Therefore, I am pushing EE and Openreach for that date to be accelerated if at all possible.
"With online learning being used till at least the end of January and people being encouraged to use home delivery services for food and other items, the importance of getting these new connections in place has never been more pressing.
"The investment in the network is clearly very welcome.
"But, especially in the current circumstances, the quicker the service can go live, the better."
Related article: 4G coverage for Speyside Glenlivet
