PROCUREMENT on Scottish Government plans to connect all homes and business to superfast broadband by 2021 has begun, Derek Mackay said yesterday.
The draft budget commits £600 million to the infrastructure project over the next four financial years.
The announcement follows weeks of rowing over the issue between Westminster and Holyrood, with UK Digital Minister Matt Hancock accusing the Scottish Government of “poor performance” and “dragging its feet” on rollout.
Yesterday Mackay said procurement for the Reaching 100 per cent (R100) programme has now begun. Positioning this as part of overall plans for growth, he told the chamber: “I can confirm today that the Budget also includes the first steps towards one of the most significant infrastructure projects of this parliamentary session –superfast broadband for the whole of Scotland.
“At the end of this year, we will achieve our target of delivering fibre internet access to at least 95 per cent of premises.
“As a result of our actions to date, Scotland has experienced the fastest rate of progress of any part of the UK. However, we want that progress to continue. Our new Reaching 100 per cent programme is an ambitious plan to make superfast broadband available to every home and to every business premise in every part of Scotland by 2021.
“That commitment, which will position Scotland at the forefront of the digital revolution, is unmatched anywhere in the UK.
“I am therefore delighted to confirm to Parliament that the initial procurement for the R100 programme begins today, and that over the next four financial years, it will be supported by investment of £600m.
“The investment in skills and innovation, new technologies, manufacturing, infrastructure and broadband is all part of a package of measures to improve our productivity, boost our trade and make Scotland the most attractive place in which to do business.”
Connectivity Secretary Fergus Ewing said the move will make rural Scotland “among the best connected places anywhere in Europe”.
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