Perth & Kinross Council and the Scottish Government must work together to ensure communities across Perthshire can benefit from broadband investment: that is the call from MSP Murdo Fraser after he raised the matter in the Scottish Parliament. In a parliamentary question, MSP Murdo Fraser asked the Scottish Government how it plans to invest in broadband improvements and connectivity in the Amulree, Loch Tay, Strathardle and Trochry areas of Perthshire. In response, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment Alex Neil stated: “Scotland’s Digital Future: Infrastructure Action Plan, published on 31 January 2012, sets out the Scottish Government’s 2020 world-class digital connectivity targets, with a step-change by 2015. The 2015 target – availability of broadband at a speed of 40-80 Megabits per second (Mbps) to 85-90% of premises – is outlined in Programme 1 of the Infrastructure Action Plan, and will be delivered by two closely related procurements. “As we progress through delivery and implementation of Programme 1, we will be working collaboratively with Perth and Kinross Council to ensure that we fully understand plans and priorities for the local authority region, including Amulree, Loch Tay, Strathardle and Trochry.” Murdo Fraser said: “I welcome any progress to see the delivery of faster and more reliable broadband in Perthshire, especially in our rural communities “For too long rural areas of Perthshire have been short changed by the lack of broadband connectivity and the lack of fast and reliable broadband is holding back local businesses and the Scottish economy. “I recently met with BT Scotland to outline the concerns in Highland and eastern Perthshire regarding the reliability and speed of broadband in many communities. I have also recently met the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment Alex Neil, the Minister responsible for broadband investment, to reiterate the importance of upgrading Perthshire’s broadband connectivity. “The Scottish Government must realise the growing frustration from local businesses and residents in eastern and Highland Perthshire regarding the lack of broadband connectivity, including those who live in and around Amulree, Butterstone, Glenshee, Trochry, Loch Tay, Strathbraan and Strathardle areas of Perthshire. We must see progress for our communities and broadband services that are good enough for Perthshire instead of a second-rate service.”