Home   News   Article

Multi-million pound digital investment will help far north play to its strengths, says MP Jamie Stone


By Gordon Calder

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!
Allan Henderson (right) with from left Michael Kelly, UK Government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport, Lochaber High School Head Teacher Scott Steele and HIE’s Scott Dingwall
Allan Henderson (right) with from left Michael Kelly, UK Government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport, Lochaber High School Head Teacher Scott Steele and HIE’s Scott Dingwall

A multimillion-pound investment in digital infrastructure will help the far north play to its strengths, the local MP has claimed.

A £7.7 million project that has brought full fibre connections to Wick and Thurso was completed this week, leaving the Highlands better equipped to deliver next generation connectivity, according to the agencies behind the scheme.

The project is expected to provide a big boost for businesses in the area as well as the public sector, with schools, universities, NHS Highland and Highland Council set to benefit.

Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone welcomed the completion of the Local Full Fibre Networks (LFFN) programme.

“In my maiden speech, almost five years ago, I stressed that the far north desperately needed a level playing field with the rest of the UK when it came to broadband,” he said.

“It is an issue which I have raised again and again ever since then. Now, fingers crossed, I believe we may see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“We have great skills resources in the far north, we have a great tourist resource in the far north – and the very best connectivity will mean that we can play to our strengths in the future.”

The Liberal Democrat MP added: “My most sincere thanks are due to all those people locally and nationally who have made this happen.”

The funding has also been welcomed by councillor Allan Henderson, the chairman of Highland Council’s strategic communities and Place Committee.

He said the investment should ensure the area is “at the forefront of digital opportunities” with the public sector and businesses “equipped to deliver next generation connectivity”.

Jamie Stone has welcomed the investment which will benefit Wick and Thurso as well as Inverness and Fort William
Jamie Stone has welcomed the investment which will benefit Wick and Thurso as well as Inverness and Fort William

The UK government provided £4.3 million towards the £7.7 million project, with Highland public sector partners contributing the remainder of the funding.

The initiative has now delivered a gigabit speed fibre optic broadband network which will connect 152 public sector sites, including schools, university campuses, Highland Council and NHS Highland.

In 2019, less than one per cent of the Highlands had next generation connections compared to almost 10 per cent UK-wide.

It is hoped to expand the full fibre digital infrastructure to other parts of the region. Scotland is set to benefit from the UK government’s £5 billion Project Gigabit funding – announced in 2021– and allocated to provide gigabit capable speeds to more than a million hard-to-reach homes and businesses.

The UK and Scottish governments are working together to look at which areas are due to be covered commercially and where further public subsidy will be required.

Highland Council is working closely with both governments to identify early opportunities for the region, and where the digital infrastructure funding provided by the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal could improve coverage further.

Councillor Henderson, said: “The conclusion of this phase of digital network infrastructure will ensure that Highland will be at the forefront of the digital opportunities, rather than being led.

“The delivery of full fibre to some of the biggest agencies and partners working in the Highlands will introduce the capacity to look at new ways of delivering education, health services, commercial and council services to all of the Highlands.

“This will improve the quality of services, reduce wait times and reduce costs for partners and the people of the Highlands.”

The fibre optic upgrade is being supported by a collaboration between the Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Natural Heritage, NHS Highland, the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and the Department of Digital Culture Media and Sport.


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More