Huge rise in Fifers hooked up to superfast broadband

More Fifers than ever have been connected to superfast broadband.

Some 96.5 per cent of properties across the region can access internet speeds of at least 30Mbps.

That’s a huge 43 per cent rise on the figure in 2014 when just 52 per cent had access.

The stats, from Thinkbroadband were welcomed by Annabelle Ewing SNP MSP for Cowdenbeath.

She put the rise down to Scottish Government investment in digital connectivity.

She said: “These latest figures are clear evidence that, while there is a bit of work still to be done, many people in my constituency have reaped the rewards of SNP broadband investment with the percentage of properties in Fife connected to superfast broadband almost doubling, up to 96.5% from 52.9% in 2014.

“Broadband is a reserved issue to Westminster, but successive UK governments have sat on their hands and done next to nothing to connect Scottish homes to superfast internet speeds.

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“It’s been left to the SNP Government at Holyrood to take up the mantle and invest £600 million in the R100 programme to ensure superfast broadband speeds reach every corner of Scotland.”

Ms Ewing said the pandemic had underlined the importance of digital connectivity as many people now work from home.

She added: ““Here in Fife we are nearly there but, while the Tories might be happy to sit in the slow lane, this SNP Government won’t stop until 100 per cent of Scottish homes are connected to superfast broadband by the end of 2021.”

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