New £3m for rural fibre

Broadband: Take-up rate in north prompts roll-out to other remote areas

Almost £3 million extra in funding will be invested in broadband for the Highlands and islands after take-up rates across the region’s Digital Scotland fibre network topped 60%.

Hundreds of additional homes in some of Scotland’s most rural areas will be able to access “full” fibre direct to their homes through the funding boost.

The roll-out, led in the area by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), will continue until 2020 and, in all, the project will reach 30,000 more premises than the initial contract target.

A fibre network now stretches from North Roe in Shetland to Southend in Campbeltown, bringing fibre-based services to around 300 communities across the region.

Openreach, which is developing the network, is accelerating the return of additional funding under the contract as a result of the high level of take-up by households and businesses.

Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands Paul Wheelhouse said: “With our partners we have invested over £400 million in the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme,

“Connectivity in the Highlands and islands has been transformed”

taking fibre broadband to areas where the market would not otherwise go. Connectivity in the Highlands and islands has been transformed by the Digital Scotland programme.”

Stuart Robertson, director of digital at HIE, said: “We’re delighted to have more funds to reach that little bit further.”

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