Local MSP Emma Roddick hails progress under SNP broadband initiative

The Scottish Government has surpassed its commitment to deliver gigabit-capable broadband connections to 20,000 homes and businesses in 2024-25, by delivering 27,134 new connections last year – including over 6,000 in council areas within the Highlands and Islands region.

The new connections come as part of the Scottish Government’s Reaching 100% (R100) programme, which aims to ensure every home and business in Scotland has access to extremely fast gigabit-capable broadband.

Local MSP Emma Roddick has hailed the continued rollout of the scheme. Commenting, she said:

“It’s great to see so many new connections for gigabit-capable broadband – part of over 27,000 new connections established across Scotland last year – going well beyond the SNP’s target. Most of the new connections made through the scheme so far were in rural areas.

“While this issue is reserved to the UK Government, it was absolutely right that the SNP step up and invest in expanding access to harder-to-reach areas as it was clear that London wasn’t going to act for us. Faster internet access is no longer a nice-to-have; with many people working from home, these new connections enable people to work, buy and sell online, supporting the local economy.

“This progress is welcome, but there’s still more to do – which is why the R100 programme will continue to deliver new connections until 2028.”