A Scottish Government MSP, Dave Thompson, has accused Westminster of not doing enough to ensure that Scotland gets true 98% or more coverage of 4G superfast Mobile Broadband services. Thompson also took time out to blast the "ridiculously expensive fibre optic cable" and Satellite alternatives.

The comments relate to Ofcom and the UK government's plan (here) to extend the proposed UK coverage of related next generation 4G mobile services (licenses) from 95% to "at least" 98% of the population. But a recent report by Arqiva has suggested that Scotland "on its own may only have 90 per cent coverage".


Thompson also welcomed the recent news that BT had been selected as the preferred bidder to provide better broadband in Scotland's Highlands and Islands, which all happened rather controversially at the end of last year (here). "HIE intends to ensure that the requirement to provide coverage for the full area is built into the contract with BT," said Mr Thompson.

The Scottish Government released its national broadband plan last month, which aims 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 (full details).