VodafoneThree Eyes Shetland Boost via Subsea Cable
The newly merged entity VodafoneThree has announced plans to undertake a feasibility study for a new subsea cable connecting mainland Scotland with the Shetland Islands in the UK.
If realised, the infrastructure could transform digital connectivity in one of the UK’s most remote regions, supporting future-ready telecommunications services and high-speed internet for residents and local enterprises.
The proposed cable would provide essential backbone infrastructure that addresses current capacity challenges and enables new opportunities, including the potential development of edge data centres on the islands. The project is part of VodafoneThree’s wider strategy to support underserved areas with next-generation infrastructure.
Political support for digital equity in rural Scotland
The initiative has received endorsement from the Scottish Government, aligning with ongoing efforts to improve rural digital access. Richard Lochhead, MSP, Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade, welcomed the announcement.
“High-speed connectivity is necessary in today’s world – both for economic growth and everyday life,” said Lochhead. “It is particularly important that residents, businesses and visitors to our rural areas and islands are not left behind in the digital age.
"Private investment is critical to delivering this mission and I welcome VodafoneThree’s renewed commitment to help deliver the infrastructure needed to support our island communities.”
The proposed study aligns with the Shetland Islands’ Local Development Plan, which includes provisions for advancing digital infrastructure to enable sustainable economic development.
These discussions follow the successful rollout of 4G across parts of the islands under the Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme, a public-private initiative to boost rural 4G coverage.
Operator commitment to connectivity outcomes
Nick Gliddon, UK Business Director at Vodafone, highlighted the importance of robust telecommunications for regional prosperity.
“During our meetings in November 2024 with Shetland Islands Council, it was really apparent to me that connectivity is essential for everything from daily transactions to the growth of businesses and the economy,” Nick stated.
“Through initiatives like the Shared Rural Network programme, we are providing strong and reliable 4G coverage to our customers living in, working in and visiting Shetland. The proposed cable could transform the connectivity landscape for the islands further, bringing significant economic and social benefits.”
Subsea infrastructure underpins global digital transformation
Globally, subsea cables have become critical infrastructure in the race to expand cloud computing, AI, and edge services. Research from Markets and Markets estimates that the global submarine cable systems market will grow from US$18.2 bn in 2024 to US$29.7bn by 2029. For telecom operators, subsea links are increasingly seen as pivotal in delivering resilient, high-capacity data transport between geographically dispersed data centres.
As rural and coastal areas look to strengthen their participation in the digital economy, direct submarine connections offer a scalable way to meet latency, speed and security requirements, particularly as 5G Standalone (5G SA) matures.
VodafoneThree: advancing 5G leadership in the UK
The feasibility study comes amid broader plans by VodafoneThree to roll out one of Europe’s most advanced 5G networks. The merged company has committed to reaching 90% of the UK population with 5G SA coverage within three years, with ambitions to extend that to 99.95% by 2034.
The initiative exceeds the minimum targets outlined in the UK Government’s Shared Rural Network initiative and expects to play a significant role in closing the national digital divide. Health, education, agriculture and remote manufacturing sectors benefit from consistent, high-quality network access.
By connecting Shetland more directly to the mainland’s digital infrastructure, VodafoneThree’s proposed subsea cable has the potential to be a catalyst for economic growth, improved services and long-term network resilience in one of the UK’s most geographically challenging environments.
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