News / Tavish calls for high speed broadband
SHETLAND MSP Tavish Scott is urging the new culture secretary Jeremy Hunt to look north for a high speed broadband testing project.
Earlier this month, Mr Hunt announced the government’s aspiration to have the “best superfast broadband in Europe”.
Mr Scott, the leader of the Scottish LibDems, reminded him yesterday (Sunday) that Shetland would be a good place to give one of the three pilot projects announced for rural areas to the isles.
In a letter to the culture secretary, he said Shetland would appear to be an ideal location for one of the projects.
“It has the double advantage of a new fibre optic subsea cable link to the Scottish mainland, and a population living in a number of islands many of whom are currently out of reach of even moderate speed broadband.
“With roughly a third of the islands’ 22 000 population living in Lerwick and the remainder living across the islands in villages and out in the countryside, Shetland can offer an ideal test bed for high speed broadband and its impact on rural communities with varying levels of remoteness.
“The benefits of high speed broadband to those living or running businesses in Shetland would be considerable. These benefits would help to offset some of the problems which Shetland’s internal geography and its location, far to the north of the Scottish Mainland, creates,” he wrote.
Speaking on Sunday, he added: “I am sure that there will be keen competition to be chosen as one of the rural areas to benefit from these pilot projects.
“But with the benefits the pilot could bring to Shetland businesses and residents and the fact that, we have the Faroese Telecom fibre optic cable link, the Shetland case is a strong case.”
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.