Scotland Hits 95% Fibre Broadband Target

Gordon Macdonald, has hailed the news that the SNP Government has already exceeded its Programme for Government pledge to deliver fibre broadband to more than 95% of premises in Scotland as a “landmark achievement.” The Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme is being delivered through two projects – the first covering the Highlands and Islands and the second covering the rest of Scotland.

The project covering "the Rest of Scotland" is valued at £264 million and led by the Scottish Government with funding from BT Group, local authorities, the EU via the European Regional Development Fund as well as the UK Government through Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK).

Commenting SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon Macdonald, said, “It is a landmark achievement that we have already exceeded the SNP Programme for Government 2017-18 target of ensuring 95% of homes and businesses have access to fibre broadband.

“The DSSB project is the most ambitious fibre infrastructure programme in the whole of Europe that has already connected 890,000 premises in Scotland and without which, it is estimated only 66% of Scotland would be able to receive fibre broadband.

“Fast and reliable internet is fundamental for the future economic and social success of Edinburgh and the SNP Government is setting its sights even higher pledging to deliver access speeds of at least 30Mbps to 100% of premises in Scotland by the end of 2021. We will not rest until that final 5% of households are connected.”