widget/exchange-29
widget/exchange-30widget/exchange-33
widget/exchange-31

News / Target broadband cash at remote areas – Scott

SHETLAND MSP Tavish Scott is calling for changes to the way funding for high speed broadband is allocated to ensure improvements are directed towards islanders facing the poorest connections.

Following a meeting with Community Broadband Scotland, Scott said any future money ought to be directed towards providing for the hardest to reach customers “rather than chasing a flat population percentage target”.

Earlier this month BT Scotland director Brendan Dick visited the islands to reveal that Lerwick was in line to receive high speed broadband – connections up to 80mbps – by September.

Customers in most other Shetland communities can expect to be hooked up to superfast broadband in 2015 and 2016. BT says it is confident of exceeding its initial target of hooking up 76 per cent of isles households.

However at a digital forum meeting in Lerwick two weeks ago, Dick heard criticism from those in the outlying isles and remoter parts of the mainland who fear being left behind.

offset-carousel/post-mobile/0

Scott described the divide between those with good broadband access and those without , particularly in remote communities, was “simply unacceptable”.

“People in Shetland are now increasingly more reliant on high speed broadband for doing business, accessing services and communicating with family and friends across the country and the world,” he said.

“Whilst news of further funding for high speed broadband in Shetland is certainly welcome, it simply does not seem right that those who currently have a poor service, or no service at all, should be left further behind.”

He called for priority to be given to ensuring remote areas are able to access a “decent and reliable” service and that “any further investment… be directed towards helping the hardest to reach customers rather than the broad percentage target which just won’t do the job in many isolated areas across the Northern Isles”.

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

 
Categories
widget/pd_widget-6widget/pd_widget-7widget/exchange-53widget/exchange-54widget/pd_widget-8widget/exchange-55widget/pd_widget-9widget/exchange-56

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have you considered becoming a member of Shetland News?

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please consider paying for membership and get the following features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.