Aberdeen to receive gigabit broadband in 57 public buildings

Union Street, Aberdeen - Image credit: michimaya via Flickr

Public buildings in Aberdeen are to get increased broadband speeds through funding announced by the Scottish Government.

The £2m investment will connect 57 public buildings in the city – including schools, health and community centres – at speeds of up to a gigabit per second.

It is being made available through the £254m investment package for the region, which is in addition to the £125m Aberdeen City Region Deal.

Connectivity Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “Fast and reliable broadband is a key driver of economic growth.

“This is why we are committed to delivering 100 per cent superfast broadband access across Scotland by 2021, along with enhanced connection speeds for key premises in Aberdeen.

“By providing fast and reliable broadband, capable of gigabit speeds, we are transforming Aberdeen into one of the UK’s best connected cities, unlocking greater commercial investment in the future.”

Councillor Jim Gifford, leader of Aberdeenshire Council and chair of the city region deal joint committee, said: "The investment is designed to be a catalyst. 

“Whilst in the first instance this will benefit public buildings in the city, it will put in place the required infrastructure to unlock future growth into Aberdeenshire.

"The committee has ambitions to make this region one of the best connected in the UK and this could go some way to meeting that target.”