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Scotland UK Releases National Superfast Broadband Infrastructure Action Plan

Posted: 31st Jan, 2012 By: MarkJ

The Scottish Government has today released its national broadband plan, 'Scotland's Digital Future - Infrastructure Action Plan', which sets out how they aim to deliver "world-class digital access" to all of Scotland by 2020; with an interim milestone of delivering superfast broadband ("40-80Mbps") to 85-90% of premises by 2015.

In recent months Scotland has faced criticism for moving too slowly and today's effort can be seen as an attempt to rectify that, although there's no escaping the fact that work in Wales and England appears to be at a more advanced stage. Funding for the work is expected to come from several primary sources.

Breakdown of Scotland's Broadband Funding
* £68.8m from Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK)
* £79.5m from the Scottish Government
* £25.5m from Europe (possible maximum)

Furthermore Scotland can expect extra cash from the UK Government's £100m Urban Broadband Fund and £150m Mobile Infrastructure Project, although related distributions have yet to be clarified. It will also be seeking more money from the post 2013 EU programme and "future spending reviews".

The Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) office, which aims for 90% of people in the United Kingdom to be within reach of a superfast (24Mbps+) service by 2015 (the last 10% will get at least 2Mbps), can also expect another knock at the door due to Scotland's "particular geographic and technical challenges". Not to mention that local councils will be expected to help out and the private sector must match any public investment.

The Infrastructure Action Plan reveals that Scotland aims to release a procurement strategy by March 2012, with actual tenders commencing by September 2012. The contracts themselves are anticipated to be awarded during the first half of 2013.

Alex Neil MSP, Scotlands Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, said:

"This action plan outlines our commitment to a world-class, future proofed infrastructure that will deliver digital connectivity across the whole of Scotland by 2020. The purpose of this plan is to deliver a step change in people's ability to access the internet, enabling people to connect from their homes, businesses and while on the move. A world-class digital infrastructure for Scotland must deliver in terms of speed and ease of access, geographical coverage, and price and choice of provision for consumers. We recognise it is particularly critical for rural and remote communities to be digitally connected in terms of economic viability and growth.

This commitment will make a major contribution to the Government's purpose of making Scotland a more successful country, with opportunities for all to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth.

Improvements to our digital infrastructure are essential if we are to maintain and improve the ability of our businesses to compete in a global market place; be successful in attracting inward investment; transform the delivery of public services; respond to the challenges of a low carbon economy and have vibrant, strong and connected communities in our cities, towns and rural areas."

The plan claims that it will "specify a technology neutral approach with a mix of solutions" in order to deliver broadband speeds of 40–80Mbps to 85-90% of "premises". This vaguely includes "putting in place measures to ensure an uplift in service can be delivered to the remaining 15%".

It's perhaps worth pointing out that Scotland's Highlands & Islands region has already picked BT as their supplier, which was due to the fact that BT's rivals withdrew from the process (here). At the time Fujitsu told ISPreview.co.uk that the "sums simply did not stack up". Many expect BT to win the bulk of public funding and the Scotland's use of BT-friendly FTTC speed figures like "40-80Mbps" will do little to change that opinion.

Scotland, a mostly rural country, now faces an extremely difficult challenge in meeting its objectives but it has at least begun moving in the direct direction.