A UNITED approach is vital for overcoming Scotland’s vast geographical hurdles when it comes to 5G, according to a leading telecoms expert.
CEO of Commsworld, Ricky Nicol, believes that positive collaboration is required to ensure that Scotland does not fall behind because of the challenges of 5G rollout.
It is thought that an extra 400,000 phone masts – some 80ft high – would need to be procured and installed in order to bring the 5G network to the UK.
On top of that, a full fibre rollout across the country would be essential in order to make the network fully effective – as 5G will ultimately require the near limitless capacity that fibre network provides.
Ricky is concerned that the rural nature of Scotland could put the country at a severe disadvantage, but believes that collaborative working is the most pragmatic solution.
He said: “Infrastrusture builders and telecoms firms of all sizes need to get round a table – and be working alongside the Scottish Government to be able to overcome these unique challenges around 5G rollout.
The Scottish Government’s Reaching 100 (R100) Scheme, which covers the whole of Scotland, is already delivering significantly better broadband infrastructure to rural parts of the country – even to places that didn’t have any connection before.
But in order to introduce the newest and most effective 5G network, more infrastructure is needed across the whole of Scotland.
We should value the incredible work of community broadband initiatives, such as Lothian Broadband, which has been instrumental in facilitating fibre in remote locations.
5G is still very much in its infancy but by working together, we have a better chance of delivering the best possible connection in Scotland.”
