Broadband has become so important to people buying a home that properties without a fast connection are worth up to 20 per cent less than those that do.
Property search website Rightmove has even added a broadband speed checker on its listings for prospective buyers.
Perth and Kinross is currently served by some of the slowest broadband in Scotland and Murdo Fraser MSP believes that the current infrastructure is putting a brake on growth in the area.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“As more of our daily lives are conducted online the greater the divide will be between areas well served by broadband and those with slow or intermittent connections.
“Poor internet connections have been recognised for slowing economic development and it is worrying to think that they are now having a negative impact of house prices.
“Residents in Perth and Kinross will be alarmed to hear that house prices could be impacted by as much as 20% and will hope that the Scottish Government’s broadband initiatives can stretch to their communities.”