WATCH: £10m cash boost from Scottish National Investment Bank to fuel expansion of Highland Broadband digital roll-out in the north
A new £10m cash injection is helping to expand the roll-out of ultrafast broadband across the Highlands.
The Scottish National Investment Bank today announced its latest multi-million pound investment in Highland Broadband, to enable to the company to expanding its delivery of ultrafast broadband coverage.
Highland Broadband, which is part of Lothian Broadband Networks Limited, estimates that around half a million premises across Scotland are still without access to gigabit-capable networks and it plans to connect as many of those as possible over the next few years. The bank said its latest investment will help the company make “significant progress”, providing connectivity to over 100,000 premises.
The bank initially provided cornerstone funding of £20 million to Highland Broadband in 2021 and a further £20 million in 2023, which helped it install gigabit-capable networks to areas of the Highland north of Inverness, as well as in East Lothian, Stirlingshire and Fife.
As part of its latest phase, Highland Broadband began deploying further network throughout the Highlands across the Black Isle, Great Glen and the Cairngorms.
Gavin Rodgers, CEO, Highland Broadband said “The Highlands and Islands face unique connectivity challenges, but we view overcoming these barriers as essential for providing what should be a basic service for everyone in Scotland.
“The bank’s continued support has enabled us to accelerate our plan to connect these regions, which ultimately helps reduce place based inequality in areas such as education, employment and healthcare.”
Prior to starting work in 2015, less than one per cent of premises between Inverness and the north and east coasts had access to a gigabit capable network. The company said its work had now improved that to around 80 per cent and expects to reach 98 per cent coverage by the end of this year.
Andy Clapp, executive director at the Scottish National Investment Bank, said “Our support of Highland Broadband’s multi-year effort to connect all parts of Scotland aligns with one of our core missions to increase equality through improving spaces. The installation of gigabit capable networks, which so many of us take for granted, is already having a real-world impact that’s strengthening the threads of Highland communities.”
Since Highland Broadband installed its network in Alness, the congregation at Alness Baptist Church has been able to expand its outreach work and reach people through its social media platforms, streaming its weekly services, highlighting community events, and directing people to services where they can seek support.
Pastor Robert Adair, Alness Baptist Church said: “For us, it’s about being better connected with the wider community and not just hidden behind four walls. We want to be out there engaging with people and building relationships. The new broadband enables us to do all of this and more, and we really feel like we’re making a difference.”