Rural broadband boost for Scots

Spreading broadband connections to the outlying reaches of the Highlands had proved a difficult task, but the Scottish government has resolved to ensure rural areas are linked up with the web.

A £3.5 million programme has been launched to determine which areas are most poorly served and convince service providers to set up broadband lines in these regions.

Enterprise minister, Jim Mather, said, "Broadband is an increasingly vital tool for business and is now used by more and more households as a standard utility.

"By extending the availability of affordable broadband, we can help create a wealthier and fairer Scotland."

Both homes and businesses are set to benefit from the internet access upgrade which should start to roll out in 2008.

Areas which had previously been starved of web connectivity should then be able to take advantage of online services, such as VoIP, while businesses could make use of a secure IP PBX system to allow their employees to work from home.