Record-breaking funding set to fix connectivity gaps in remote Scotland

Tens of thousands of homes across Scotland will receive a “huge broadband upgrade” following a £157m-worth contract between the UK Government and Openreach.

A total of 65,000 homes and businesses in hard-to-reach areas will have access to lightning-fast broadband for the first time, as part of the government’s vow to end digital exclusion.

It is the largest contract ever awarded under Project Gigabit – the government’s initiative to bring fast, reliable gigabit-capable broadband to remote areas.

Sites across the Highlands, the Outer Hebrides – where only seven per cent of promises have access to gigabit broadband - and the Inner Hebrides will benefit from the connectivity boost which is expected to turbocharge the local economy.

The upgrade is a “gamechanger”, Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said. He added: “Rolling out lightning-fast broadband will equip and inspire local businesses to thrive, enable families to access vital services, and build resilient communities.

 “Our plan for change recognises that rural communities are the backbone of our nation and economic growth must reach every corner of Scotland, ensuring that opportunity isn't determined by postcode but by potential.” 

While it has been nine years since the Scottish Government's landmark Reaching 100 (R100) programme was launched, hard-to-reach areas in Scotland have consistently ranked as some of the UK’s most poorly connected areas over recent years. And Orkney Islands Council leader Heather Woodbridge told Holyrood “complexities” affecting island groups are often ignored in digital transformation projects, citing the R100 scheme and the digital switch off.

The R100 programme, which aims to bring superfast broadband to every house and business in Scotland, was initially set to be finished by 2021 but has since been delayed to 2028.

However, the UK Government said more contracts are expected to be signed later this year for Orkney, Shetland and across the east of Scotland.

Telecoms minister Chris Bryant said: “Digital exclusion for people living and working in hard-to-reach areas across Scotland can be a huge obstacle to living a better and healthier life. Elderly and vulnerable people could miss out on the best treatment options in North Ayrshire, while budding entrepreneurs could be held back from their dream of running a successful business in Moray.”

The deal forms part of the £800m agreement with Openreach announced last and follows work already underway to connect over 227,000 premises in remotes parts of Wales and England. It also builds on a prior Project Gigabit contract in Scotland, awarded in February through a partnership with the Scottish Government, for up to 11,000 premises in the Borders and Midlothian.

Openreach deputy chief executive Katie Milligan said: “Our new network’s a catalyst for growth and jobs, with experts predicting it’ll bring a £4.4bn boost to the Scottish economy and a raft of social and environmental benefits. We’re confident we’ll reach as many as 30 million UK premises by 2030, assuming the right economic conditions exist.”