R100 superfast broadband programme roll-out: FOI release

Information requested

1) Can you please provide an update on how many rural properties are now covered by fixed superfast broadband in Scotland, and how many estimated rural properties have still to receive this form of broadband?

2) Does the Scottish Government still claim that LOT 1 of the programme – North Scotland and the Highland – will cover around 59,000 premises by 2027/28, and can you please confirm that LOT 1 includes Perthshire?

3) The Scottish Government initially stated they hoped to roll-out the superfast broadband to every home and business in Scotland by 2021. That target was obviously not met, so when do the Scottish Government think this proposed target of a full roll-out will be fully completed?

Response

Response to your request

Where information is available, I have provided a response to each of your questions below.

1) Can you please provide an update on how many rural properties are now covered by fixed superfast broadband in Scotland, and how many estimated rural properties have still to receive this form of broadband?

Information regarding superfast broadband coverage in Scotland is in the public domain and can be accessed online on Ofcom’s website: Connected Nations and infrastructure reports - Ofcom.

Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you.

2) Does the Scottish Government still claim that LOT 1 of the programme – North Scotland and the Highland – will cover around 59,000 premises by 2027/28, and can you please confirm that LOT 1 includes Perthshire?

As at 21 March 2023, 60,764 premises are expected to be connected via the R100 North contract (Lot 1), which currently remains on track for completion by 2027/28.

The constituencies of Perthshire North and Perthshire South & Kinross-shire fall between both the R100 North (Lot 1) and Central (Lot 2) contracts.

3) The Scottish Government initially stated they hoped to roll-out the superfast broadband to every home and business in Scotland by 2021. That target was obviously not met, so when do the Scottish Government think this proposed target of a full roll-out will be fully completed?

As at 31 December 2021, all homes and businesses across Scotland had the ability to access a superfast broadband connection through one of the three strands of activity that make up the R100 programme – the £600 million R100 contracts, the demand-led R100 Scottish BroadbandVoucher Scheme and commercial coverage.

Since then, the R100 contracts have continued to deliver gigabit capable, fibre to the premises connections across Scotland. The R100 contract build currently remains on track for completion by 2027/28.

About FOI

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