95% broadband coverage

More than 95% of Scotland’s homes and businesses are now able to connect to fibre broadband.

The rollout has been delivered through the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) project, with a total contribution of £280 million from across the public sector in Scotland.

Without the DSSB programme, it is estimated that only 66% of Scotland would be able to receive fibre broadband.

Connectivity Secretary Fergus Ewing said:

“Fast and reliable internet is fundamental for the future economic and social success of communities right across Scotland.

“This is a landmark for the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme, which has connected around 890,000 premises to fibre broadband, and is ensuring Scotland can offer world-class digital infrastructure.

“However, we want to go further, and we are now focusing on delivering our £600 million ‘Reaching 100%’ programme, which is the biggest public investment ever made in a single UK broadband project. This will make sure every single premise in Scotland can access a speeds of at least 30Mbps by the end of 2021.”

Background

95% coverage was achieved at the end of 2017, in line with the commitment made in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2017 and has been subject to checking and confirmation processes until this point.

DSSB is delivered through two projects – led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise in its area, and the Scottish Government in the rest of Scotland.

Funding partners also include the UK Government through Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), BT Group, local authorities and the EU via the European Regional Development Fund.