Thousands in rural Scotland to get ‘lightning-fast’ broadband

Around 11,000 homes and businesses across rural Scotland are to be hooked to gigabit-capable broadband under new UK Government contracts.

It is part of Project Gigabit, a £5bn initiative aimed at fixing connectivity gaps in hard-to-reach areas.

The new £26m contract, awarded to Scottish internet provider GoFibre, marks a “crucial step forward” in ending the digital divide, Scotland minister Kirsty McNeill said.

Areas in the Scottish Borders and East Lothian will be the first to benefit from “lightning-fast broadband”, the government confirmed.  

McNeill continued: “By bringing the fastest possible broadband to our rural communities, we're not just laying cables, we're opening up new opportunities for local businesses, improving access to education and healthcare.”

The first connections are expected by autumn, with further contracts to be signed later and cover other areas such as Shetland and Orkney, which have ranked amongst the worst connected constituencies in recent years.

In 2022 research revealed Orkney had the worst internet access in the UK, with around 64 per cent of its residents having superfast broadband – 30 per cent lower than the national average.

The move is expected to kickstart economic growth and improve living standards for residents.

Scottish business minister Richard Lochhead said: “Reliable internet connectivity is a vital part of everyday life, allowing people to work flexibly, engage in education and stay connected with loved ones.”

He added that the new contracts will “expand upon” previous “achievements”, including the R100 (Reaching 100 per cent programme), which has come under fire over the past few years for its delays. The initiative is set to be completed by 2028 – seven years later than initially expected.

Kyle Tidd, co-owner of restaurant The Hoebridge, based in the Scottish Borders, plans to grow his business thanks to the programme. He said: “This investment in faster broadband would improve our operations. It would enable us to streamline our ordering, payment and online booking systems, enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction.”