Households and businesses across Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale are set to reap the rewards of high-speed fibre broadband, local MP David Mundell said this week.
Improved broadband provision follows a £264 million investment by BT, the UK and Scottish Governments, local authorities and the European Regional Development Fund.
The project will ensure that 85 per cent of Scottish properties have access to fibre broadband by the end of 2015 and around 95 per cent by the end of 2017. Initially priority will be given to small and medium sized rural businesses to encourage economic growth in hard to reach areas.
Mr Mundell, who has been campaigning for better broadband in his large rural constituency for some time, welcomed the moves.
“I am delighted that the latest broadband technology is at last being extended into the mainly rural and remote parts of Scotland, such as in my large constituency.
"It is important that those living and working within Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale be able to access high speed broadband. They deserve the same quality of broadband services as other places.
“Given its importance in modern life, it is not acceptable for rural communities to be excluded from the rollout of this technology which is why I have been campaigning for improvements to services locally,” added Mr Mundell.
“Access to a reliable, high-speed broadband service will help stimulate growth for those in small businesses and social enterprise culture, helping them compete in an increasingly digital world,” he said.
The MP recently met with Brendan Dick, Director, BT Scotland, and Managing Director, BT Regions, in the House of Commons and raised the issue of improving broadband more generally in rural areas.