This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Broadband technology and rural communities
10/03/2003
More Highland communities are to have access to
broadband links as part of the Executive's drive to spread
the new technology to rural Scotland.
First Minister Jack McConnell told the Convention of the
Highlands and Islands in Elgin that six telephone exchanges
- covering Forres, Nairn, Dingwall, Buckie, Oban and Fort
William - will be upgraded by BT Scotland, with support
from Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
The enterprise company is currently looking for other
companies to work with to continue the roll out of
broadband technology.
Mr McConnell said:
"This is exciting news for Scotland's rural communities,
bringing broadband technology a step closer to some of
those who can benefit from it most.
"Broadband means that geography need no longer be a
disadvantage. It will allow schools in remote areas to
access online learning and will open doors for the use of
telemedicine as well as helping local authorities deliver
modern services.
"We cannot allow rural communities to fall behind simply
because they cannot access the kind of technology that
could revolutionise their lives."
The First Minister also announced today that a milestone
has been reached in the Pathfinder project which aims to
meet the broadband requirements of local authorities,
schools and health services in the Highlands and Islands
and south of Scotland.
Seven suppliers have been selected to submit outline
proposals to provide broadband services in the Highlands
and a further six tenderers have been selected for the
south of Scotland.
The successful tenderer for each Pathfinder area is
expected to be selected in autumn with work starting next
year.
Aggregated procurement is a new approach to telecoms
procurement for the public sector. It is being tested in
two Pathfinder areas - the Highlands and islands and the
South of Scotland.
These areas were selected on the basis that the market
was unlikely to meet anticipated demand under current
procurement practices.
To accelerate the roll-out of broadband, stimulate
competition and improve access, the Executive has allocated
up to £24 million to support business take-up and ensure
that by the end of March 2004 at least 70 per cent of the
population has access to ADSL-equivalent broadband.
A voucher scheme will be introduced for businesses
shortly to subsidise take-up of broadband services.
The First Minister also today endorsed SSE Telecom's
proposals to include up to 3,000 homes and businesses in
Stonehaven in a commercial pilot of broadband services via
powerline communications technology.
Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace, deputy Environment
and Rural Development Minister Allan Wilson, deputy Health
Minister Frank McAveety, and deputy Tourism, Culture and
Sport Minister Elaine Murray are also at the Highlands and
Islands Convetion.
It will focus on a number of issues including:
- Modernisation of health care in the Highlands and
islands
- Sustainable development
- Culture in the Highlands and islands
Mr Wallace said:
"I know that, too often, people living in rural areas
feel government is remote and does not affect them. But
that is not the case. The Scottish Executive is here for
everyone in Scotland and throughout the country our work is
making a real difference to peoples lives.
"The Convention is a valuable opportunity for Ministers
to consult with local councils, key agencies and
communities to ensure that our policies continue to deliver
throughout rural Scotland.
"By working together we can ensure that rural
communities get the solutions tailored to their needs and
we build a better future for everyone, whether they live on
an island or in an inner city."
The Convention of the Highlands and Islands is normally
held twice a year and brings together the Executive, local
authorities, local enterprise companies, area tourist
boards and other institutions in the Highlands and islands.
It is a forum for discussing a range of economic and social
development matters of importance to the area.
Membership of the Convention comprises two
representatives from each of the following:
- Argyll and Bute Council
- Orkney Islands Council
- Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles
Council)
- Highland Council
- Shetland Islands Council
- University of the Highlands and Islands Academic
Council
One representative from each of the following:
- Moray Council
- North Ayrshire Council
- Highlands and Islands Enterprise
- Argyll and the Islands Enterprise
- Shetland Enterprise
- Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise
- Ross and Cromarty Enterprise
- Western Isles Enterprise
- Moray, Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise
- Inverness and Nairn Enterprise
- Orkney Enterprise
- Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise
- Lochaber Enterprise
- Orkney Tourist Board
- Western Isles Tourist Board
- Shetland Islands Tourism
- Aberdeen and Grampian Tourist Board
- Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board
- Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and
Trossachs Tourist Board
- UHI - Millennium Institute
- Crofters Commission
- Scottish Natural Heritage
The Pathfinder Project aims to meet the broadband
requirements of local authorities, schools and health
services in the Highlands and Islands, and south of
Scotland.