VoIP UK wide by May

The remotest parts of Scotland will soon be able to access broadband - and take advantage of technology like VoIP - after a £3.3 million contract was awarded by the Scottish Government.

Work on the connections begins in July and it is hoped to be completed by May 2009.

The news means areas as distant as Argyll and Rousay in Orkney will soon be able to take advantage of faster internet.

"In this 21st century, as many people as possible should have broadband access. It is a vital tool for business, helping drive economic growth, and is now used by ever more households as standard," said Jim Mather, enterprise minister.

"I'm pleased that every single eligible household and business should now benefit from affordable broadband access over the coming months, giving business a boost and enhancing the lives of householders."

Remote Scottish businesses will now be able to introduce cost-reducing VoIP solutions, which require fast connection speeds due to their heavy VoIP traffic.

VoIP solutions are becoming extremely popular in UK businesses, and every VoIP provider in the UK will be welcoming the news that their potential customer base has expanded.