Tens of thousands of homes and businesses across Scotland are set to benefit from a major broadband upgrade, as part of a nationwide push to tackle digital exclusion and improve connectivity in rural areas.
The UK Government has signed a £157 million contract with Openreach to roll out gigabit-capable broadband to over 65,000 premises in some of the most remote parts of Scotland.
This marks the largest single contract so far under Project Gigabit, the national strategy to provide ultra-fast broadband to hard-to-reach locations.
The investment forms part of a wider £800 million agreement aimed at delivering faster internet to rural communities across the UK.
Similar projects are already underway in parts of Wales and England, connecting more than 227,000 homes and businesses.
Areas set to benefit from the Scottish rollout include the Highlands, the Outer Hebrides, and the islands of Islay, Skye, and Tiree. The project will be delivered in collaboration with the Scottish Government and Openreach, and it supports existing efforts under the R100 broadband programme.
Telecoms Minister Chris Bryant stressed the importance of addressing digital inequality, stating that reliable internet access is now essential for education, healthcare, and business. He emphasised that the initiative would not only improve lives but also help boost local economies and reduce regional disparities.
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray described the project as a game-changer, noting that lightning-fast broadband will support local enterprise, enable access to vital services, and help build more resilient communities in rural Scotland.
Scottish Government Business Minister Richard Lochhead welcomed the additional investment, highlighting its alignment with Scotland’s ongoing broadband programmes. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding digital infrastructure and ensuring every community has access to reliable internet.
Unlike traditional copper networks, gigabit-capable broadband delivers consistent high speeds and does not slow down during peak times.
Openreach’s deputy chief executive Katie Milligan said that more than half of homes in Scotland already have access to full fibre, and the new rollout would extend these benefits even further.
Openreach aims to reach up to 30 million premises across the UK by 2030, with the new fibre network expected to deliver a £4.4 billion boost to the Scottish economy, alongside long-term social and environmental gains.
