Scotland declares ambition to deliver "world class" broadband by 2020

Holyrood is poised to embark upon a digital revolution to transform the delivery of public services, respond to the challenges of a low carbon economy and boost broadband access across Scotland tomorrow.

 

Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment Alex Neil will launch the Scottish government's Digital Future: Infrastructure Action Plan on Tuesday, which sets out the steps to improve speeds for Internet access and downloads north of the border - including the most rural locations. 

 

The plan will set out the administration's commitment to deliver what it describes as a “world class” digital infrastructure to all of Scotland by 2020, with an interim milestone of delivering improved speeds for next generation broadband to "85-90%" of premises by 2015.

 

Current analysis indicates that around half of the population is in postcodes where high speed broadband is available - something already set to increase by 10% over the next two years. 

 

Neil told the BBC over the weekend that achieving world class digital connectivity for all of Scotland by 2020 was critically important: “This is an ambitious plan which will ensure that all of Scotland benefits from the digital revolution. 

 

“These improvements to our digital infrastructure are essential if we are to maintain and improve the ability of our businesses to compete in a global market place, be successful in attracting inward investment, no matter where they are based in Scotland.”