Work continues to roll our broadband to remote parts of Highlands
Work to roll out superfast broadband to every corner of the Highlands is to plough ahead next year, Scotland’s connectivity secretary has pledged.
Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, has written to Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson to ask for her input in how best to implement the new infrastructure in this area.
This comes after an extra £600 million was announced in the Scottish budget last week to extend superfast internet to 100 per cent of the country by 2021.
He wrote: "The role of local authorities in the progress we have made cannot be underestimated and your resources and agreement to implement a Scotland-wide approach has enabled us to achieve much more than might otherwise have been possible.
"In light of your ongoing support and to assist with a strategic approach for Scotland, I would be delighted to come to meet you to hear of your plans for broadband and wider digital connectivity and to see how Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband has made a difference in your area," he said.
"I also intend convening a round-table event in the New Year, inviting all local authorities, and others, to hear your views on how initiatives can align to best contribute to our shared aspirations."
Mr Ewing has also committed to working with his Westminster counterpart, Matt Hancock, to combine Holyrood’s work with the Local Full Fibre Network challenge being carried out by the UK Government.
He added: "We have agreed to work constructively, given our shared ambition to improve broadband coverage in Scotland and elsewhere in the United Kingdom."
