Residents and businesses in rural Scotland will at long last have access to broadband under a new project that will greatly improve the area’s infrastructure.
A £3.3 million contract has been awarded to Avanti Communications Group, which will cover capital and project-management costs to establish networks. This follows a government initiative in which Scottish residents were asked to sign up to a register if they required broadband access where it is not available in their area. Over 3,500 homes and businesses signed up to the list.
The improved connectivity is expected to be available by 2009 in North Sanday, Rousay, Jura, the Angus Glens, Ettrick Valley, Skye and Wester Ross. Avanti, which primarily supplies networks, will also serve as an Internet Service Provider to the locals and businesses who registered with the scheme, according to managing director Matthew O’Connor. Avanti will sub-contract installation and management services to its partner RDS.
Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said: “In this 21st Century, as many people as possible should have broadband access. It is a vital tool for business, helping drive economic growth, and is now used by ever more households as standard.”
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