Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP Gail Ross welcomes announcement of funding of up to £5000 apiece for homes and businesses located in remote rural broadband 'deserts'
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HOMES and businesses in broadband 'deserts' will be able to secure up to £5000 apiece to help find alternative providers, in a move which has been hailed by a local MSP.
Gail Ross, the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, has welcomed the news of the additional funding.
It will help homes and businesses to obtain superfast broadband where where providers may not ordinarily go, and where they are not currently within the scope of either "Reaching 100%" (R100) contracts or planned commercial investment.
Interim vouchers of up to £400 are also being made available for premises where superfast broadband is planned for after the end of 2021 – with an additional £250 for those in the hardest-to-reach areas.
“Since elected in 2016 the issue of affordable access to reliable, superfast broadband has been a constant concern for many communities throughout Caithness, Sutherland and Ross," said Ms Ross. "To build sustainable and economically diverse thriving communities we simply must have access to quality broadband.”
“I’m delighted with the announcement from the Scottish Government today and would urge all constituents to check the online search tool to see what funding could be in place for them. I will continue to campaign for quality connections throughout the north, now, more than ever, it is a lifeline for many of our communities.”
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