Edward Mountain is ‘shocked and dismayed’ that the Scottish Government today confirmed that their R100 broadband programme would not deliver for all households and businesses. This follows an evidence session today held by the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee regarding digital infrastructure.
Edward Mountain also fears that the Scottish Government will not deliver superfast broadband to the Highlands until 2024.
The Scottish Government announced in 2017 that it would deliver superfast broadband to all homes and households by 2021; however, the project has been dogged by delays since then.
BT has been confirmed as the preferred bidder to deliver R100 to South Scotland and Central Scotland. A preferred bidder for the North Scotland region, which includes the Highlands and Islands, has yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government.
Following the REC Committee session, Edward Mountain MSP commented:
“I am shocked and dismayed at the Scottish Government’s mishandling of the rollout of superfast broadband.
It was made clear by the Minister today that the R100 programme will not deliver fibre broadband to every household and business. That means private companies will be expected to plug the gap at their own expense and that could mean there are significant price differences for internet access across the Highlands.
It’s now almost inevitable the Scottish Government will break their promise of delivering R100 by 2021 and I fear that Highlanders will not access superfast broadband until 2024.
While Southern and Central Scotland at least know that BT is the preferred bidder to deliver R100, we are no further forward in the Highlands.
The Scottish Government’s handling of their R100 programme has been a complete shambles. They have dithered and delayed and as a result too many families and businesses are stuck with little to no internet at all.
Today the Minister left me with little confidence that delivering superfast broadband would be accelerated anytime soon. Frankly, that’s unacceptable. We need superfast broadband for the Highlands as a matter of urgency.”
HCUA Comment:
So once again we find the incompetent SNP treating the people and businesses of the Highland with utter contempt.
Ministers made promises which we now know they are not interested in keeping - and they just don't seem to understand what that will mean for Highland businesses, many already struggling under a punitive SNP tax regime that seems designed to strangle innovation and drive away entrepreneurs.
Don't expect to see any improvement until this hopeless SNP administration is kicked out of government.
But do send Sturgeon a clear message on 12 December: vote Scottish Conservative and let her know that it is time to start looking for another job.
