Perthshire North MSP, Mr John Swinney, has today welcomed the news that more than 95% of Scottish homes and businesses are now able to connect to superfast broadband. 

The Scottish Government’s Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) scheme has seen a £280m investment from the public sector to improve Scotland’s broadband network. It is estimated that without this scheme, superfast broadband access would sit at 66% nationwide.

The 95% connectivity rate was reached at the end of 2017, ahead of the initial target of March 2018, but this figure was only officially ratified today. The project’s next aim is to have achieved 100% connectivity in every Scottish premise by the end of 2021.

Commenting, Mr Swinney said:

“I am delighted to hear that the Scottish Government’s ambitious goal of providing superfast broadband access to 95% of the nation’s homes and businesses has been met ahead of schedule. 

“This bold scheme – the largest ever public investment made in a single UK broadband project – has enshrined Scotland’s place as a world-leading digital nation at the forefront of innovation, technology and business.

“As an MSP representing a rural constituency, I have seen first-hand the tremendously positive impact that better internet access can have on the lives of my constituents. I am also aware that whilst to this date the DSSB scheme has been a great success, there are still some across the nation – and within my constituency – who do not yet have access to superfast broadband.

“I would therefore urge those involved in overseeing this project to continue their excellent progress, and I look forward to all of Scotland benefiting from superfast broadband by the end of 2021.”