HIE calls for increased funding to deliver high-speed regional broadband

The Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is calling for an additional £24 million to help deliver high-speed broadband services in remote regions of Scotland.

Around 60 per cent of the Highlands and Islands are considered to lack commercial viability for the roll-out of high-speed services and connecting these regions would cost around £68 million, reports the Press and Journal.

The broadband tax being proposed by the UK government and expected investment from a telecoms operator would together deliver £44 million, but a further £24 million could help deliver faster download times, according to the HIE, as well as potentially more effective use of VoIP solutions.

Alex Paterson, director of HIE, told the paper: "Technology is so important to our economy that it underpins almost everything HIE is trying to achieve."

He added that broadband is crucial for businesses and healthcare in rural areas just as much as it is in urban regions of the UK.

The UK government recently revealed it plans to introduce a monthly broadband tax of 50p before the next general election.