Moore urges Scottish cities to seize ultrafast broadband chance
The UK Government announced earlier this month that Aberdeen, Dundee and Perth are eligible to bid for a share of a £50 million funding pot designed to help them roll out ultrafast-broadband.
Three Scottish cities are being urged to seize the opportunity to become a Super-Connected City and revolutionise the way their residents and businesses get online.
The UK Government announced earlier this month that Aberdeen, Dundee and Perth are eligible to bid for a share of a £50 million funding pot designed to help them roll out ultrafast-broadband.
This is the second round of funding available, with ten UK cities, including Edinburgh, already working on detailed plans to upgrade their networks.
The UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport has today (25 May) published guidance on the bidding process for the second tranche of funding, and cities must produce plans for a contiguous area offering fixed ultrafast broadband as well as high speed wireless connectivity.
The Secretary of State for Scotland has encouraged the three Scottish cities to apply and join the capital in providing ultrafast broadband access to businesses and homes.
Michael Moore said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for these cities to reap the benefits that could come from achieving Super-Connected status.
“Access to ultrafast broadband means businesses can expand, develop new markets and compete with others around the world. It also allows local communities to access public services more quickly and efficiently online.
“Providing Scotland with high-speed broadband is essential for businesses to grow and to create the new jobs we need. That is why the UK Government believes broadband is essential not only for everyday life, but also for the future economic success of the UK.
“I am encouraging Aberdeen, Dundee and Perth to submit the most robust bids possible and seize the opportunity to add further Scottish cities to the super-connected roster.”
Ofcom defines superfast broadband as above 24Mbps. For the Super-Connected Cities programme, ultrafast means speeds as close to 80-100Mbps as is currently possible. Ultrafast includes technologies, principally fibre to the cabinet (FTTC), that are capable of up to 80Mbps and are ultimately up-gradable to 100Mbps or more.