R100 progress

BT Plc has been confirmed as the bidder for two of the three Reaching 100% (R100) broadband programme areas in Scotland.
 
Procurement was split into three areas – North, Central and South – and BT plc was the only bidder for the Central and South areas. Further details of the bid will be announced when the contracts are signed later this year.
 
Ofcom’s most recent Connected Nations report showed Scotland outperforms the UK as a whole when it comes to new broadband deployment.

Scotland’s Minister for Connectivity Paul Wheelhouse said:

"Our £600 million R100 programme is a vital investment in Scotland’s infrastructure, given that the UK-wide telecommunications market has failed to deliver coverage to large areas of Scotland. Our commitment is despite regulation and legislation for telecommunications being reserved matters that are the responsibility of UK Ministers and this commitment is unmatched anywhere else in the UK.

“It will help to deliver a future-proofed superfast broadband network, making Scotland one of the best connected places anywhere in Europe.

“I am pleased that good progress on tender evaluation has been made and look forward to the process being completed, and contracts signed by the end of the year. More than one bid was received for the North and an announcement of the preferred bidder will be made in due course.
 
“The Scottish Government has committed £579 million, or 96.5%, to the total cost of the programme, even though broadband is a UK Government responsibility. The UK Government will contribute just £21 million, or 3.5%, despite the Commons Scottish Affairs Select Committee suggesting UK Ministers should contribute more.”