Ultra-fast broadband has been rolled out in remote areas in Scotland as the government gets underway with its initiative to improve connectivity around the UK.
Connectivity in the Scottish islands has long proven a challenge due to their remote locations. Openreach engineers, working on the Scottish government’s Reaching 100% (R100) programme, have brought full-fibre broadband to Tiree and Iona.
The deployment required careful planning with local organisations to protect wildlife and the natural landscape.
More rural Scottish communities are set to benefit from the R100 programme in the coming months, aligning with the government’s goal of full digital inclusion.
In North Yorkshire, Quickline is rolling out gigabit broadband as part of the £5bn Project Gigabit programme, which was launched in 2021 to boost economic recovery and regional development. Targeting areas overlooked by commercial providers, the initiative ensures underserved locations gain access to high-speed Internet.
Five months into its North Yorkshire contract, Quickline has delivered access to nearly 5,000 homes and businesses, including the first 46 premises under contract and an extra 4,800 through commercial expansion.
The contract aims to provide broadband to 36,000 funded premises and a further 50,000 connections through commercial expansion. Quickline is set to connect 17,000 subsidised homes and businesses in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and 360,000 commercial builds.
“The ongoing rollout of gigabit connectivity can make a transformative difference to the lives of people across the UK, providing fast broadband access to online digital services,” said Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of Digital Poverty Alliance.” Tasks such as online banking, e-learning and booking a digital healthcare appointment are made almost impossible for those without connectivity, so these broadband rollout schemes are vital for the British people.
“However, the affordability of these services is key – with faster packages often costing much more and being out of reach for those on lower incomes.
“Scotland, especially, has proved difficult to reach for broadband providers due to its rural nature but the success of the Tiree rollout highlights the roadmap for creating a connected Scotland. We’d hope to see the Scottish government placing affordable connectivity as a central point within their digital inclusion strategy work, committing substantial investment into high-speed, affordable infrastructure in rural areas to ensure digital quality for all.”
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