The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union (EU) by correcting imbalances between its regions, has awarded the Shetland Islands Council (SIC) in Scotland £367,500 to help it connect the islands with a fibre optic broadband cable that runs between the Faroe Islands and the Scottish mainland.

The Shetland Fibre Optic Network (SFON) project will, in total, cost over £1 million to complete but could significantly improve broadband connections for island residents. The award is a huge boost for the plan and could finally help to solve the islands historic problems with poor internet connectivity.


In related news, and moving over 300 miles south to the city of Edinburgh, BT has begun showing off the benefits that its new 40Mbps fibre optic ( FTTC ) broadband services could bring to local homes and businesses.