WORK is underway to deliver superfast broadband to some of Scotland’s most rural communities.
It comes as part of the Scottish Government’s £384 million reaching 100% programme, which will see over 136 miles of subsea cables installed across Argyll and Bute, the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Shetland and Orkney.
Full fibre broadband will be delivered to the communities, which the government said is capable of one gigabit per second download speeds – which is more than 30 times faster than the original commitment to deliver 30 megabits per second.
The latest round of works will see the project target Oban, Argyll and Bute, Portlethen and Newtonhill.
The Scottish Government’s economy secretary, Kate Forbes, said, “Accessing fast and reliable broadband has never been so important and for our more rural communities that is becoming increasingly vital. That is why the Scottish Government is making substantial investments in digital infrastructure to ensure all of Scotland has equal access to high speed internet.
“The Reaching 100% programme is going significantly beyond our original commitment to provide superfast broadband and will now deliver the UK’s fastest and most reliable broadband for many businesses and homes.”
Chair of Scotland’s Openreach board, Katie Milligan, added, “As delivery partner, we’re designing a network that maxes full fibre for the North of Scotland. We are pleased to have worked so closely with the Scottish Government to ensure homes and businesses will make the move straight to the UK’s fastest, most reliable gigabit-capable broadband.
“The arrival of ultrafast broadband will be a game-changer, placing rural residents and remote islanders firmly in the internet fast lane. They will see a huge difference for life and work generally, but future-proof connectivity will also boost fragile rural economies and address sustainability issues like depopulation.”
