Reaching 100% Programme (R100) - State Aid: consultation

2. Market Engagement and Analysis of Existing Coverage

Throughout the procurement period, the Scottish Government has remained in regular contact with broadband infrastructure providers across Scotland and continue to engage as part of the overall R100 Programme. This has ensured that the R100 IA remains current and the contracts awarded under the Programme comply with State Aid requirements.

This engagement has included both commercial coverage by existing and prospective NGA broadband infrastructure providers and coverage procured under the existing Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband contracts with BT Group plc.

It is now more than three years since the original Public Consultation and as such, the Scottish Government is now consulting on the current IA to ensure continued compliance with State Aid. The purpose is to allow for possible extension/s to the existing contracts into eligible premises within the IA in accordance with the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 and EU Public Procurement Directives and the 2016 National Broadband Scheme ("NBS 2016").

This public consultation sets out that IA, so as to enable all interested stakeholders (including the public, businesses, internet service providers and broadband infrastructure operators) to comment on the proposals. In particular, this provides an opportunity for broadband infrastructure operators to review Scottish Government's mapping to ensure that it correctly represents the information provided by them in the course of our rolling OMR.

All responses to the public consultation will be carefully considered and where necessary will be incorporated into the final map of the intervention area. The final intervention area maps and a summary report confirming details of the changes made to the proposed intervention area will be published on the Scottish Government website shortly after the close of the consultation period. Where responses to the consultation are received, the Scottish Government will respond to these and provide an explanation of how the information submitted has been treated. The finalised intervention area will then be submitted to BDUK's National Competence Centre ("NCC") to confirm ongoing compatibility of the project with State aid Framework and in particular the NBS 2016.