Broadband build heading for the Highlands
Scottish Government contracts have delivered faster internet access to around 3,900 hard-to-reach households and businesses in the Highlands, according to latest figures released today – with work starting soon in 20 more locations, including the Isle of Skye.
People in Spean Bridge, Nairn and Brodie – on the Moray border– are the latest to benefit from the £600 million Reaching 100% (R100) broadband contracts being delivered by digital network Openreach. They’re among around 70,000 properties now reached by the R100 build across Scotland.
Over the next six months, engineers are due to start work in Ardvasar, Portree and Tarskavaig on Skye; Arisaig, Cairngorm, Cannich, Carrbridge, Dalchreichart, Dalwhinnie, Fort Augustus, Glenmoriston, Glenurquhart, Invergarry, Kincraig, Kingussie, Lochailort, Nethybridge, Newtonmore, Mallaig and Tomatin.
Overall1 demand for full fibre services has topped 50 per cent in the Highlands, ahead of the Scottish average of 38 per cent.
Business Minister Richard Lochhead said: "Our Reaching 100% digital connectivity programme is bringing faster, reliable broadband to more people across Scotland every single day.
“Reliable internet isn’t just a convenience. It provides better access to education and public services, enables remote working and provides more opportunities for rural businesses to reach global markets. That’s why we’re committed to extending coverage where upgrades are most needed.
“With around 70,000 premises now connected through these contracts, I look forward to monitoring continued progress as rural communities make use of their new full fibre connections.”
The R100 contracts are being delivered by digital network Openreach and its build partners.
Openreach Partnership Director Robert Thorburn said: “The rollout of fast, reliable broadband to hard-to-reach Highland homes and businesses is building real momentum.
“Our engineers are showing real innovation to upgrade these communities, putting them on a digital par with city centres and bringing a welcome economic boost.
“We're excited to see more people moving to full fibre services, and we encourage local businesses and residents to check online to see if they can get a faster, more reliable service."
Full fibre broadband offers speeds more than 30 times faster than the Scottish Government’s original superfast targets, providing a future-proof connection that supports everything from seamless streaming and online gaming to better business productivity.
Residents can check if their property is ready for connection and register for updates at www.openreach.co.uk/r100. Once the technology is available, customers can arrange upgrades through their preferred provider.
ENDS
1 Overall demand includes Openreach commercial build, state intervention programmes and other funded build such as Fibre Community Partnerships using government vouchers.
Build information included in this news release reflects plans at the time of publication. Building a new broadband network across Scotland is a complex national engineering programme, so some changes may occur if we encounter unforeseen obstacles.
