Scots cities to benefit from superfast broadband

Published on Friday 20 March 2009 11:03

SCOTLAND'S two biggest cities will be among the first parts of the UK to benefit from a £1.5 billion superfast broadband scheme, it was announced today.

More than 34,000 homes and businesses in Glasgow and Edinburgh could benefit from the investment by BT.

The cities are included in the first major phase of the new programme – the biggest of its kind in Britain.

BT is spending 1.5 billion by 2012 to ensure 40% of UK homes and businesses have access to superfast broadband.

The new technology uses fibreoptic cables instead of traditional copper wires, which can provide broadband speeds of up to 40Mb/s – five times higher than BT's current fastest broadband speed of 8Mb/s.

More than 30,000 homes and businesses around Glasgow University and in the city's Hillington Park business and industrial area will be among the first to benefit.

It will also be available to around 4,000 customers in the Stockbridge and New Town areas of Edinburgh.

Steve Robertson, the chief executive of Openreach – the division of BT responsible for the delivery of the plans – told delegates at the Scottish Council Development and Industry (SCDI) conference in St Andrews about the new technology, the first phase of which should be available early next year.

He said: "Super-fast broadband is essential to Scotland's future so it is great to announce this initial set of locations."

And he added: "Once again, Scotland is at the forefront of one of the most important projects to take place in recent years. It will play a vital role in the UK's future as a knowledge-based economy."

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "I welcome the news that Edinburgh and Glasgow will be among the first locations in the UK to have access to BT's new super-fast broadband."

Mr Salmond said broadband was already available in 99% of Scotland and added: "This technology has quickly established itself as vital communications tool for businesses and people of all ages.

"This new service will give customers in two of the country's biggest cities even greater access to the opportunities and services that the internet offers."

Dr Lesley Sawyers, the chief executive of SCDI also welcomed the announcement, stating: "We are delighted to see Glasgow and Edinburgh being among the first areas to benefit from BT's investment, and we will be working with the company to identify how more of the country can benefit in the near future."

Steven Purcell, the leader of Glasgow City Council, said it was "fantastic" the city had been included in the first phase.

And Edinburgh Council leader Jenny Dawe added: "The city's international reputation for research and innovation makes Edinburgh's selection an inspired choice."