Scotland secures £5 million to fund broadband plan

The Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) project had many goals, specifically: to create a level playing field for incumbent providers and new ones; to open up access to infrastructure and to facilitate superfast broadband in many areas; and to facilitate the introduction of superfast broadband services in both remote and populated areas. The government is working hand in hand with various Internet service providers like BT Broadband and Virgin Media in order to meet these goals, one by one.

Scotland, for its rural areas, also has the South of Scotland Alliance (SOSA) project. The goal of SOSA is to bring next generation superfast broadband to all homes in the rural region. As an added boost, the project has received £5 million in funding out of the available £144.3 million budget of the Scottish government.

This move is part of a plan by the Scottish government to bring superfast broadband to all rural communities by 2020. The government plans to push for further progress on the matter by 2015, with Infrastructure and Capital Investment Secretary Alex Neil stating: “Delivering this service to rural areas is a key priority of our digital strategy. Access to next generation broadband will prove hugely beneficial to the South of Scotland, helping existing business to expand, attracting new businesses to the area and connecting communities.”

The government is hard at work at developing a national broadband plan, which will be announced early next year. Scottish Borders Council CEO and SOSA project board member, Tracey Logan, stressed the importance of next generation broadband for the South of Scotland, stating: “This initial investment will enable us to move towards providing essential services to every one of our rural communities.”

Neil adds that the funding is designed to help get the project up and running and will acknowledge the financial issues that the rural and remote areas of the region are facing. The funding will also help “lever in further public and private funding.”

The SOSA project is a strategic collaboration between Scottish Enterprise and the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway Councils, while the South of Scotland Next Generation Broadband Project has additional partners including NHS Borders, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, and the Scottish Government.

Source – eWeek Europe