Current Scottish government broadband strategy insufficient, report finds
The Scottish Government’s broadband strategy is insufficient and failing rural communities, according to a report by the Scottish Rural Action (SRA).
In a study by the SRA, it found that no access to high-speed internet is affecting rural homes and businesses and creating a large divide between rural residents and those that live in the cities. In particular, it highlighted particular failings with the Community Broadband Scotland (CBS) initiative, claiming that the CBS had connected just 3,950 households since being set up in 2012.
In particular, SRA researchers found that CBS had lengthy waiting times and an incredibly frustrating level of bureaucracy. In response, the group has put forward five key recommendations in ways to significantly improve the broadband situation in Scotland.
The proposals will be debated at the Scottish Rural Parliament which will meet in Brechin from October 6-8. Other topics raised by the SRA report include local democracy and governance, policing, housing and transport.
SRA chairperson Amanda Burgauer said: “This report highlights some of the serious failings of the current system to deliver super-fast broadband to rural communities.
“The mechanisms intended to support communities are preventing, not enabling, progress.
“They feel strongly that the systems need to change if we are ever going to see equity between rural and urban communities and delivery of the Scottish Government’s commitment to super-fast broadband to 100% of premises in Scotland.”
In response to the report, a Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “This government has put digital connectivity at the heart of its agenda and delivering 100% superfast broadband coverage for Scotland by the end of the next parliament is one of our key priorities, and we intend to outline the next steps on this later this year.”
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