Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael has welcomed UK Government funding on the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband project on the day it was confirmed that 150,000 businesses and homes in Scotland now have access to fibre optic, high-speed broadband.
Thousands of businesses and households can now access broadband services at speeds of up to 80Mbps which is having a massive impact on the way people in Scotland live and work. High-speed internet is especially useful at reducing business overheads and helping companies access markets abroad for the first time.
Mr Carmichael said:“Broadband is a prime example of cutting edge technology becoming an essential part of everyday life, supporting families, jobs and essential services. From Selkirk to Shetland as we pass this milestone today this rollout is already making a substantial difference to communities across Scotland.
“This is just the start, the superfast broadband programme sits alongside the UK Government’s work to install free public wi-fi in some of Scotland’s most recognisable public buildings, and the plans we have set out to eliminate poor mobile phone coverage across the UK.”
How Superfast broadband can boost businesses
The UK Government is investing £1billion in better broadband and mobile infrastructure. This includes £150million to support cities including Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Perth to develop the digital infrastructure making them even more attractive places to invest, visit and do business and £150million to improve the quality and coverage of mobile voice and basic data network services.
Specialist vessels will also lay 20 fibre optic submarine cables providing a fibre broadband backbone which will eventually link communities from Kintyre to Orkney.
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