Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has welcomed investment from the UK and Scottish Governments to roll out superfast broadband to a number of communities across Perth and Kinross, Fife and Clackmannanshire.
Thirteen communities in Fife, two in Perth and Kinross and three in Clackmannanshire will all receive high speed broadband as part of the Digital Scotland programme and £120m investment by the UK Government.
This news means the programme is more than half way to its target of making superfast broadband available to 750,000 properties in Scotland by the end of March 2018.
The news comes after the Scottish Conservatives launched an action plan for rural Scotland which includes a pledge for all of rural Scotland to receive superfast broadband, in a bid to help families, businesses and charities.
The Scottish Conservatives will prioritise the delivery of current targets to provide broadband for 95% of homes and look for solutions and funding to cover the remaining 5%. The party also wants to set up a rural broadband fund, opening funding up to individuals and businesses and doubling the amount of funding available.
Murdo Fraser MSP said;
“This investment is good news for the residents and businesses affected in these 18 fortunate Fife, Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire towns.
“Despite this welcome progress far too many people in Mid-Scotland and Fife remain without decent broadband connection.
“The urban-rural divide is most keenly felt on key services such as broadband and it stands to reason that if you pay the same bills as everyone else you should receive the same service.
“The growth of the rural economy will be dependent on the availability of key infrastructure, like internet connectivity, and I would encourage the Scottish Government to redouble their efforts to level the broadband playing field.”