Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP, Liz Smith, has called on rural Perth and Kinross residents to make their voices heard as Holyrood’s Rural Economy committee begins its investigation into broadband delivery.
The Committee is looking to hear views from individuals and organisations on the speed and access standards required to meet the need of families and businesses.
Members of the committee will assess the impact of restricted access to high speed internet on the rural economy, especially in regard to tourism and smaller businesses.
Further scrutiny will focus on future funding of the Scottish Futures Trust and Community Broadband Scotland as well as the success of these programmes in rolling out internet provision. The final aspect of the inquiry will focus on whether there is sufficient funding to meet Holyrood’s commitment to provide universal next generation access by 2021.
Commenting Liz Smith MSP said:
“For rural residents who have been trapped with slow or non-existent broadband access this inquiry provides the perfect opportunity to let the Scottish Government know exactly what is going wrong.
“It is vital that the Scottish Government fully funds broadband delivery and hopefully this inquiry will reveal whether enough provision has been made to make the 2021 targets achievable.
“In rural parts of Perth and Kinross, Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire there are still far too many broadband black spots and until this is rectified the rural economy and family life will continue to suffer.”