Highland mobile, broadband and other digital connection issues spark campaigner’s Holyrood petition to the Scottish Government
A petition demanding "better digital connectivity" for the Highlands and Islands has been launched by a political campaigner in the region.
John Erskine has created the petition to urge the Scottish Government to address "persistent gaps in broadband and mobile coverage that have long disadvantaged rural communities".
Mr Erskine, who recently relaunched his campaign to be on Scottish Labour's regional MSP list in the 2026 Holyrood elections, said the petition is asking for the government to "tackle digital infrastructure shortfalls, improve mobile internet coverage, and foster public-private partnerships, creating opportunities for economic development, healthcare access, and education in the region".
The petition comes as communities prepare for significant changes in telecommunications, including the retirement of copper phone lines by 2027 and the phase-out of radio teleswitch meters that monitor electricity use by 2025.
Mr Erskine said the challenges facing the Highlands and Islands "are stark", and highlighted that a quarter of Shetland households experience internet speeds below 30Mbps.
He also stressed that mobile service remains patchy or unreliable in many areas of the Highlands, making it difficult for residents and businesses to stay connected.
And he fears gaps in digital infrastructure are hindering "growth in tourism and local industries, impacting regional economic potential".
A Scottish Labour Party campaigner and former party spokesperson for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands, Mr Erskine, is calling for decisive action to close the digital divide and ensure that rural and island communities are not left behind in the modern economy.
“We can’t allow rural communities to be left behind in the digital age. Reliable internet and mobile coverage are not luxuries—they’re lifelines for businesses, education, and healthcare. A comprehensive Digital Connectivity Plan is vital to ensuring these communities have the tools they need to thrive,” he said.
The petition advocates for investment in digital infrastructure to close broadband gaps and expand mobile coverage; creation of public-private partnerships to accelerate delivery; and regular progress updates to maintain accountability and momentum.
“Improving connectivity would provide immediate and long-term benefits, including boosting local businesses, enabling remote healthcare services, improving educational access, and supporting tourism—a vital sector in the Highlands and Islands economy,” Mr Erskine added.
The petition is now open for signatures at https://petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE2127.
Residents of the Highlands and Islands, as well as supporters across Scotland, are being encouraged to sign the petition and bring attention to the issue.
By uniting voices, Mr Erskine said he hopes to ensure “that rural Scotland has the digital infrastructure necessary to thrive in the years ahead”.
