Despite various programs announced by the Scottish Executive and the UK government it seems that some areas of Scotland are as far from broadband connectivity as they ever have been. The recent story of a couple who were quoted in excess of £80,000 to get themselves hooked up to the broadband superhighway highlights a problem which many of the more rural districts of Scotland have had for some time. But is this impacting upon local businesses?
The simple answer is that a lack of broadband connectivity is impacting upon businesses in some areas of Scotland and the often excessive cost of introducing a broadband network to the region appears to be a major stumbling block. Maybe the UK government or the Scottish Executive should be more proactive rather than reactive and channel funding into areas such as the Highlands and Islands of Scotland which have so far been neglected by the UK broadband sector.
With the UK government apparently considering a telephone tax on every telephone customer in the UK, to pay for the nationwide broadband network, surely those in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and the more rural parts of the UK are as entitled to high-speed Internet as anybody?