New multi-million-pound boost to fix Scotland’s connectivity challenge

A new £10m cash injection is to help bridge the connectivity divide across rural Scotland, it is claimed.

The Scottish National Investment Bank has announced the funding in a bid to bring a gigabit-capable network to more than 100,000 premises across remote areas.

A part of Lothian Broadband Networks, Highland Broadband (HB), which will receive the funding boost, claims that an estimated half-a-million premises across Scotland still lack access to gigabit-capable network

Gigabit internet offers speed around 10 times faster than superfast broadband.

And the UK Government aims for it to be available to 85 per cent of the UK by next year and nationwide by 2030.

Gavin Rodgers, chief executive at HB, said: “The Highlands and Islands face unique connectivity challenges, but we view overcoming these barriers as essential for providing what should be a basic service for everyone in Scotland.

“The bank’s continued support has enabled us to accelerate our plan to connect these regions, which ultimately helps reduce place-based inequality in areas such as education, employment and healthcare.”

Since 2021, the bank has invested around £40m in improving connectivity across the country. Last year its £20m cash boost helped install gigabit-capable networks in areas across East Lothian, Stirlingshire, Fife and the Highlands north of Inverness.

As of 2015, fewer than one per cent of premises from Inverness to the north of Scotland, the Black Isle, and on the east coast had access to a gigabit-capable network, HB said. Since then, the company has brought that up to 80 per cent and expects to reach 98 per cent coverage by the end of this year.

As part of the latest phase, the firm began deploying further networks throughout the Black Isle, Great Glen and the Cairngorms.

Getting people online has been a key part of the SNP’s digital strategy.

However, the Scottish Government has been under fire during the past year over progress on reaching its connectivity targets, with its R100 programme on the receiving end of significant criticism.

Launched in 2017, the R100 initiative aimed to bring fast internet connections to 60,000 properties across northern Scotland by the end of 2021. But the deadline has now slipped to 2028, seven years behind the original deadline.

Yet, in January, former first minister Humza Yousaf claimed “every home and every business” had access to superfast broadband, after being pressed over the rollout programme during FMQs.

His claim sparked outrage from the opposition. Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur said: “The first minister’s claim will also have left many islanders scratching their heads as to what they’ve been doing wrong to be left with poor or indeed no broadband service at all.

“Clearly there has been a simple misunderstanding. Given his comments at FMQs, I have invited the first minister on a tour of the islands where he can explain to local households and businesses how they can access the superfast broadband that apparently has now been delivered.”