Borders broadband has to improve

Kate Smail • Published 19 Jul 2010 09:30 0 Comments

LOCAL politician Jeremy Purvis has demanded better broadband for the Borders in a new report.

The Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale MSP has warned that even though the UK Government has just set targets to increase broadband speeds in rural areas, almost half of Borders population will be excluded.

Mr Purvis has written to all major telecoms companies calling for them to co-ordinate better provision for the region.

After a recent meeting with Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Borders Council, selected businesses, BT and community representatives, he published his "A Digital Strategy for the Borders".

Mr Purvis said: "The Strategy shows that the former UK Government stated that faster broadband should reach 90% of the population, but even with that 43% of the Borders population wouldn't receive it.

"It is totally unacceptable, and extremely bad for the economy if almost half the entire population of the region would be excluded from the higher broadband speeds up to 2017.

"The meeting by the UK Government and operators today is a positive move and I am also making contact with them about a combined effort to put forward a market led solution for delivery.

"That should be used as the basis to lobby the Government for specific support for the region. I am meeting Scottish Enterprise and Borders Council again tomorrow to take this forward.

"My aim is clear: All local agencies should sign up to a commitment to seek for the Borders to be the most connected rural region in Scotland by 2015 and the UK by 2020.

"This is of critical importance to our region's economy, tourism and education and I am now sending my strategy to communities and business across my constituency to seek a widespread campaign for improvement. "

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 16 Jul 10

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