Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has welcomed the arrival of high-speed broadband to areas of Perth and Kinross, but has cautioned that more work is to be done to ensure that rural residents have sufficient access to the internet.
The average download speed in Scotland is just 7.3mb compared to Northern Ireland which sits at 14.2Mb. Some parts of Perth and Kinross are still reliant on dial-up internet connections.
Highland Perthshire is an area that is particularly poorly served by digital communications, and Murdo has urged the Scottish Government to make this area a priority for the next instalment of super-fast broadband.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“For residents and businesses in Scone, Methven, Almondbank and areas of Perth the installation of next-generation broadband will be warmly welcomed.
“Undoubtedly this is a step in the right direction, but for many residents in Highland Perthshire having access to fast broadband is but a dream.
“Slow and intermittent broadband connections are putting the brakes on economic growth and reduce the quality of life for residents in the area.
“The Scottish Government must continue to work with BT and other partners to ensure that rural residents are not left behind in the digital age.”