Figures revealed by the Scottish Conservatives have shown that Community Broadband Scotland has received only 15 formal applications from community-led broadband projects. Of these, funding totalling £257,487 has been allocated to 11 projects. The Scottish Government launched Community Broadband Scotland in 2012. Through the Step Change 2015 programme, the Scottish Government has committed to put in place infrastructure capable of delivering next generation broadband to those areas where the market will currently not go. Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife said:“I have long championed the need for investment in rural broadband connectivity. Community Broadband Scotland was established to help kick-start community-led broadband projects in rural communities.“I welcomed the establishment of Community Broadband Scotland in 2012. However, I like many have been disappointed as the pace of delivering capital assistance grants to rural communities to help get real improvements in infrastructure underway. “It is concerning that to date no community-led projects in Perthshire and Kinross-shire or Fife have been successful. It is my understanding that three potential projects are in the pipeline in Fife and I will be seeking to find out what support is being provide to other communities.“It is important that this technology and infrastructure is made available to homes and businesses across rural Scotland and I have sought to lobby Ministers to prioritise investment for rural communities. I will continue to make the case for additional investment for broadband for rural communities across Mid Scotland & Fife. “Ministers have given me an assurance that they will listen to the needs of Mid Scotland & Fife communities both urban and rural and that specific problems and infrastructure requirement will be taken into account. "Businesses and residents alike often depend on quick reliable broadband and will reap the benefits of this funding, providing an economic boost to the area and creating new employment opportunities. It is therefore important that the improvements are delivered as soon as possible. “I hope that community groups across Scotland will look at applying to the Community Broadband Scotland initiative and will take up the opportunity to seek support for community broadband solutions. “I have written to the Scottish Government to ask for what steps they will take to meet the targets they have set to deliver infrastructure capable of delivering next generation broadband to rural communities.”