Broadband update welcomed

January 14, 2012 at 10:42 am

Northern Isles Parliamentarians Alistair Carmichael MP and Liam McArthur MSP have welcomed news that the rollout of superfast broadband across the Highlands and Islands is proceeding on schedule.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) announced on Friday that they anticipate contracts for the necessary improvement works will be signed by August, this year. HIE is leading a project to deliver access to superfast broadband across all areas of the Highlands and Islands over the coming years, with work expected to start in 2013.

Mr McArthur MSP said: “For too long, the Highlands and Islands have been at the back of the queue when it comes to broadband upgrades and there are many areas in Orkney where even basic services are either patchy or not available at all.

“The pilot project launched by the UK Government last year was a big step in the right direction and I know that people in the county will welcome news that the rollout of superfast broadband is proceeding on schedule.”