Plans behind Scotland’s Digital Future unveiled

The future of Scotland’s broadband industry looks bright, thanks to the new plan that was recently unveiled called Scotland’s Digital Future. Among other things, the plan hopes to bring broadband speeds that are five times faster than they currently are by 2015.

The Infrastructure Action Plan was unveiled by Secretary Alex Neil, who stated: “There is no doubt that digital is the way forward and we relish the challenge to put Scotland at the forefront of the digital revolution and make world-class digital infrastructure a reality.”

Neil predicts that the plan will help in achieving a “step-change” in broadband speeds by the target date in order to tackle and reduce the so-called digital divide. Warnings of such a divide actually made the news in the last quarter of last year when speakers at the Westminster eForum said that the lack of government funding was partly to blame for insufficient broadband services, especially in rural areas in the country.

The plan recently unveiled hopes to boost mobile coverage across Scotland to make sure that users are able to have good access to phone and data services from their handheld devices, such as their mobile phones and tablets.

Annie McGovern, who is the digital expert at Consumer Focus Scotland, said: “Consumers in Scotland want fast and reliable broadband services and to be able to keep pace with all the new fantastic technology developments the 21st century will offer. Having the right infrastructure in place is absolutely critical to doing this.”

She added: “These commitments by the Scottish government will, if they are delivered, ensure that by 2015, broadband speeds are at least five times faster, more action is taken to better connect our remote and rural communities and that Scotland can be at the forefront of embracing new technology.”

Of the plan, Scottish Labour’s infrastructure spokesman Richard Baker said that while he welcomed the ambition of the program, the plan failed to provide the details as to how these goals will be achieved: “Delivering world-class infrastructure is crucial not only for our economy and the small businesses which rely on high-speed broadband to remain competitive, but it is vitally important in terms of social inclusion as well.”

Baker went on: “Too many people in Scotland are excluded from using more and more online services because of their income or location. We do not believe the SNP’s plan places anywhere near enough emphasis on extending broadband to these groups.”