EE mast doubles-up to support Ben Nevis mountain rescue operations

• Partnership with Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team sees the mast fitted with an antenna and cabling to support search and rescue operations in the area
• Situated at the base of Ben Nevis, the site delivers connectivity to EE customers in the area while also supporting the UK’s Emergency Services Network
• Innovative use-case demonstrates how BT Group’s Tower Division is using the wireless estate to support wider digital needs across the UK, minimising unnecessary duplicate builds

EE has partnered with Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (LMRT) to enable the use of an existing 35m mast site, located at the base of Ben Nevis, to aid search and rescue operations in the area.

As well as providing connectivity to EE customers living in and visiting the area, and 999 coverage to all visitors, the mast is also a part the UK Home Office’s Emergency Services Network – a critical 4G communications system for dedicated use by Britain’s Emergency Services and other authorised first responders.

Situated at Glen Nevis, an area which attracts more than 400,000 visitors per year, it is also in a prime location to support LMRT’s need for shadow coverage in the Ben Nevis area – lighting up areas which previously received no coverage due to ‘shadows’ caused by the natural terrain – and to eradicate a coverage not-spot at the very top of the Glen.

Having identified these benefits, LMRT and EE have worked together to deploy a single antenna and cable to the structure – enabling greater range and more effective communications during LMRT’s search and rescue operations, in what is a popular yet hazardous destination for hiking, climbing and other outdoor pursuits. 

While the site has been live since early 2024 for its primary purpose of providing 4G connectivity and supporting the Emergency Services Network, LMRT’s equipment was recently installed and is now operational, providing a vital service to the community as an additional layer of safety which previously did not exist. 2024 is on track to be LMRT’s busiest ever and, since the installation just under two months ago, the team has responded to 17 callouts. Two of these were in areas which previously had no coverage on the footpath leading to the Steall Waterfall, while a further nine were on aspects of Ben Nevis where coverage has been significantly improved.

Ian Pooleman, Secretary and Medical Officer, LMRT said: “Communications play a vital role in all of our rescue operations. We primarily use VHF radios to communicate with our base and other team members on the hill. We have had communication challenges in Glen Nevis and some aspects of Ben Nevis for many years, and the opportunity to locate a ‘repeater’ on this tower, with the support of BT Group, will make our operations safer and more efficient.”

David McKean, BT Group’s Tower Division Director, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team’s search and rescue efforts through the deployment of vital communications equipment on our tower at Glen Nevis. This is a simple yet effective example of how we can diversify the use of our portfolio of physical assets, many of which are in remote locations, to support the UK’s broader digital needs and connect more people for good, both now and into the future.”

BT Group is the UK’s leading provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications and related secure digital products, solutions and services. We also provide managed telecommunications, security and network & IT infrastructure services to customers across 180 countries.

BT Group consists of three customer-facing units: Consumer serves individuals and families in the UK; Business covers companies and public services in the UK and internationally; Openreach is an independently governed, wholly owned subsidiary wholesaling fixed access infrastructure services to its customers - over 700 communications providers across the UK.

British Telecommunications plc is a wholly owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

For more information, visit www.bt.com/about