Govt commits to next-generation broadband in remote areas of Scotland by 2017

Remote regions of Scotland will have access to next-generation broadband networks by 2017 through £200 million of funding, the government has announced.

Stephen Timms, the minister for Digital Britain, said the money will be specifically focused on making sure people in rural communities far from telephone exchanges can access similar connection speeds as people living in bigger towns and cities.

Faster broadband services can reduce the time it takes to download media content, while also making VoIP solutions more efficient and giving businesses a greater competitive edge.

Mr Timms said: "Digital Britain's aim is to make the UK one of the most competitive, highly skilled and technologically advanced economies in the world."

He added that he is looking to see schemes such as the Fibrecity initiative - which delivers connection speeds as high as 100 megabits per second - more widely available throughout Scotland.

The government recently announced plans to introduce a phone line tax to raise funds for next-generation broadband, although the Conservatives have said they will reverse this if they win next year's general election.