Despite plans to carry out research into broadband provision in Scotland, a politician feels rural communities in Tayside are still getting a raw deal.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser used a parliamentary question session to grill enterprise minister Jim Mather on what connection speeds are considered a satisfactory minimum.
In his response, Mr Mather said basic broadband speeds of 512kbps have been achieved through the Broadband Reach Project, which has delivered a satellite service to more than 2400 premises.
“There is no current, robust evidence of the wider economic and social benefits of faster broadband speed, therefore work is being progressed by the Scottish Government to improve our evidence base in this area,” he said.
“This research will include ascertaining the current and, where possible, future broadband needs of Scottish businesses, in rural and non-rural areas.”
However, Mr Fraser is still concerned that faster and better broadband is being made available to internet users in cities, while areas in Tayside and Highland Perthshire are still waiting to be connected.
He said there is a “two-tier communication system” and the government is not aiming high enough.
He said, “It is welcome news that there will be a research project which will look into broadband needs for Scotland, but people in Tayside want action now to get appropriate broadband services.
“I want to know whether residents and businesses believe getting broadband speeds of 512kbps is good enough, as the SNP government seem to believe.
“Already there is a two-tier communication system in Scotland and it is clear from the parliamentary answer that the SNP Government is content to only aim for the very basic broadband for our rural communities.”
He said there is an “even larger gulf” in the technology being offered to cities compared to rural areas, which he feels is “holding businesses back.”
“The SNP government must make Tayside a priority for good broadband connectivity,” he continued.
“I will continue to put pressure on them until the whole of Tayside, including all of the Angus Glens and Highland Perthshire, has reliable broadband that residents and businesses consider to be satisfactory.”
Picture used under Creative Commons licence courtesy Flickr user Wesley Fryer.