Slow pace of life on islands is matched by broadband speed

WITH stunning scenery and slow pace of life, the Orkney Islands are often cited as one of the most desirable places to live in the UK.

But it seems that lack of urgency also applies to the internet – as the archipelago has been revealed as having the worst connection in the UK.

On the islands, just under two thirds of households are connected to superfast broadband compared with the UK average of 94 per cent.

And just 1 per cent have ultrafast broadband compared with the UK average of 59 per cent, according to an index created by AskGamblers.com.

Orkney residents also face the slowest download speeds of anywhere in the UK, at just 37.4 megabits per second – compared to the UK standard of 58.2 megabits per second.

Of the UK’s ten worst areas for internet connection, half are in Scotland, with the Shetland Islands, Argyll and Bute, the Western Isles and Dumfries and Galloway also making the list.

West Dunbartonshire, however, has the second-best internet access in the UK, where 89.6 per cent of households have access to ultrafast broadband.

A spokesman for AskGamblers. com said: ‘Everything we do as a society, from entertainment, work and daily living, is so intertwined with the internet, the importance of fair digital access should never be underestimated.

‘While some parts of the UK are faring well in terms of internet access and connection, it is concerning to see many areas failing to reach average download speed and access to decent broadband.’

The data comes as concerns grow over the slow pace of the expansion of superfast broadband in Scotland. Only 2.7 percent of eligible homes and businesses have benefited from the rollout under the broadband voucher scheme, the Scottish Government has confirmed.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats pointed out that it will take 15 years to complete all installations at the current speed.

Economy spokesman Willie Rennie said: ‘The Scottish Government need a fresh push to sign up all those eligible and ensure communities do not miss out on the broadband connections they have been promised.’

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said that a dedicated website is used to publicise the rollout. She responded: ‘We have received extensive coverage and reach across local and national media outlets and social media at no cost.’