Broadband internet could become five times faster under a new plan to improve Scotland’s digital infrastructure.
Consumer Focus Scotland said if the commitments in the Scottish Government’s blueprint for digital services are met, broadband speeds could be five times as fast by 2015.
Ministers have already identified £185 million of public funding to help fulfil the pledges in the infrastructure plan. The Scottish Government also aims to secure investment from the private sector to help fund the improvements.
The blueprint, called Scotland’s Digital Future: Infrastructure Action Plan, aims to achieve a “step-change” in broadband speeds by 2015 to try to tackle the current so-called digital divide. It sets out to achieve “world-class” digital infrastructure by 2020.
Infrastructure Secretary Alex Neil said: “There is no doubt that digital is the way forward and we relish the challenge to put Scotland at the forefront of the digital revolution and make world-class digital infrastructure a reality.”
Consumer Focus Scotland said average broadband speeds are currently 6.8 megabytes per second, with the Scottish Government aiming to up this to 40-80Mbps by 2015.
Annie McGovern, digital expert at Consumer Focus Scotland, said: “Consumers in Scotland want fast and reliable broadband services and to be able to keep pace with all the new fantastic technology developments the 21st century will offer. Having the right infrastructure in place is absolutely critical to doing this.”
Faster broadband speeds could benefit businesses and rural communities in particular. Mr Neil said faster broadband is “vitally important, both for the economy and for people’s everyday lives”.
Mr Neil said the plan sets out how ministers would work with the private sector, although he said public funding would be “vital” for improving services to hard-to-reach areas.
Technology companies welcomed the action plan. Derrick McCourt, Microsoft regional director for Scotland, said: “I am delighted that Scotland’s Digital Future – Infrastructure Action Plan announced today not only identifies investment to create a word-class infrastructure for Scotland but recognises the need for a programme to increase take-up of digital services to deliver better outcomes for our nation.”
Source : Orange News