Digital Forum to address ‘sluggish’ broadband

February 22, 2022 at 11:25 am

A Digital Forum is to be held on Friday, February 25.

Orkney’s representatives, Liam McArthur MSP and Alistair Carmichael MP, are set to host a Northern Isles Digital Forum in Orkney on Friday February 25, from 11am to 1pm in the St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall.

The Digital Forum is a chance to hear a number of presentations covering the challenges and on-going work to improve broadband and mobile coverage within the county.

The presentations will be followed by a public Q&A session which will give an opportunity to raise any questions or concerns.

Invited participants include senior representatives from the Scottish Government’s Reaching 100 (R100) Programme and Openreach, alongside local representation from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and CloudNet Solutions.

It will mark the first occasion a Digital Forum has been held since 2019 due to the restrictions of the pandemic.

Virtual attendance is available via Zoom for members of the public and the session will be made publicly available to watch.

Details of virtual attendance and viewing will be made available here.

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur said: “The urgent need for better digital connections in our islands is well recognised.

“Indeed, home working and schooling over the pandemic has been a valuable reminder that these digital connections are crucially important and need to be delivered in ways that meet local circumstances.

“While there has been some progress in recent years, it is clear the rollout of superfast broadband is still far too sluggish and well behind the government’s promise of 100 per cent coverage by 2021.

Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael added: “Between home working, remote learning and no shortage of Zoom calls, we all know the value of connectivity and the frustration when that connectivity is not consistent.

“I am glad that once again we can bring key policy makers to the isles and discuss the key issues with improving connections here.

“Progress on broadband and mobile coverage has been slow but steady over past years, but we cannot be complacent.”