BT has announced that 47 communities across Scotland, including Stanley and Bridge of Earn will receive next generation broadband. The changes, which are due to be completed by next summer, would mean properties in these communities will now receive internet speeds of up to 20Mbps.Commenting on the news, Mid Scotland & Fife Scottish Conservative MSP, Liz Smith said: “This news will be welcomed by the communities of a Stanley and Bridge of Earn who for too long have had to put up with a slow internet connection. It was unacceptable that so many people in Perthshire and Kinross-shire have to put up with either little or no access to a broadband connection and I am glad that BT have finally taken some action. “Not only will thousands of individuals benefit, but businesses will now be able to compete on an even platform with those in the rest of the country who are becoming increasingly reliant on having a reliable and good quality internet connection. “However, while BT should undoubtedly be congratulated for this investment, there is still work to be done. There are still far too many communities in the Perthshire and Kinross-shire for whom access to any type of broadband is still a long way off. BT must now start to concentrate on how to widen access in Perthshire and Kinross-shire even further.”