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HIGHLAND MSP Kate Forbes had a first-hand lesson on how Openreach is bringing the next generation of ultrafast broadband to the region.

The MSP joined Openreach engineers in Drumnadrochit as they brought full fibre technology – capable of carrying broadband speeds up to 1Gbps, some 18.5 times faster than the UK’s current average – to local customers.

She also visited the Drumnadrochit exchange and received an update on superfast services locally. Around 80 per cent of premises across the Highlands and Islands are now able to connect to broadband at a superfast speed of 30Mbps and above, according to independent reports.

Ms Forbes said: “Good connectivity is absolutely vital for many communities, and it can either unlock great potential or cause huge frustration.

“It’s been useful to hear about Openreach’s plans for future-proofing Scotland’s digital infrastructure so we can be one of the very best digital economies, and how engineering innovations have made it more viable to build full fibre networks in rural locations.

“Scotland is in the early stages of a journey to full fibre connectivity, a technology that’s been used in the Digital Scotland partnership to get to some harder-to-reach and scattered properties. I’m grateful for the opportunity to talk about the issues facing my communities and how Openreach can support them.”

As well as its commercial investment in upgrades, Openreach has been working with the Scottish and UK governments, local authorities and other partners to bring fibre-based broadband to communities not included in any upgrade plans by private companies.

Brendan Dick, chairman of the Openreach board in Scotland, said: “We know good, reliable broadband is really important to local people. There’s been great progress in the Highlands and Islands, and work is ongoing. There’s more to do and we want to play our part.”

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