Tavish wants Fergus to come and talk about broadband
GOVERNMENT minister Fergus Ewing has been invited to Shetland to discuss the challenge of providing 100 per cent “superfast” broadband coverage by 2021.
Shetland MSP Tavish Scott said just over half of islands households were able to access superfast speeds, with areas such as Uyeasound and Yell facing speeds as low as 0.39Mbps.
The Lib Dem MSP has written to SNP minister Ewing asking for clarity on the Scottish Government’s plans and what role Community Broadband Scotland is to play.
“Shetland must overcome some significant challenges if 100 per cent of homes and businesses are to receive superfast broadband in the next five years,” Scott said.
“I want to bring the new cabinet secretary to Shetland to see these difficulties for himself, rather than relying on civil servants looking at a map from the central belt.
“I hope that Fergus Ewing will accept my invitation and I look forward to working with him to improve internet access for those living in even the most remote parts of Shetland.”
Meanwhile, Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael has declared that it is “time for results” on the rollout of broadband after UK culture minister Ed Vaizey declared an extra 4,000 premises in Shetland and Orkney would be covered by “superfast” broadband by December.
Vaizey wrote to Carmichael stating that a £51 million investment in the Highlands and Islands had reached over 10,000 premises in Orkney and Shetland, but only 711 this year – the majority in Orkney.
But he is pleased the government has reiterated its support for automatic compensation for people who suffer from poor broadband – something he is kee to legislate for in parliament.
“Just last month the government claimed in a consultation proposal that 100 per cent universal broadband coverage does not represent ‘value for money’,” Carmichael said.
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“Now they are proudly declaring the financing of £50 million for the Highlands and Islands but falling short in delivery and are delaying the roll out of a universal service obligation for broadband.
“They obviously think that they can change things just by making announcements. They seem clueless about the scale of the challenge they have taken on.”
He said he was looking forward to holding more digital forums in Shetland and Orkney in August, and vowed that the isles’ Lib Dem representatives would “keep up the pressure” on both the UK and Scottish governments.
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