The Scottish government has initiated an evaluation study for scrutinising the country’s R100 (Reaching 100% superfast broadband) project’s efficacy. The primary purpose of the R100 venture was to enhance the connectivity of approximately 180,000 premises in Scotland’s most rural communities which have been previously overlooked by other broadband investment schemes. The project set out aiming to provide these areas with broadband speeds exceeding 30Mbps.
Significant financial backing fuels the project, with approximately £600 million from the Scottish government, an additional £49.5 million from the UK government’s Project Gigabit, and £54.1 million private investment from BT. Nevertheless, progress towards the ambitious goal has been sluggish. The deployment of fibre-to-the-premise technology has, so far, only been realized in 42,000 premises with a plan to reach an additional 114,000 premises by 2028.
Due to this slow progress, the Scottish government seeks to determine if the project is offering good value for the money invested. As per the notice details, the study aims to appraise ‘Value for Money’ by comprehending the broadband speed improvement’s social, economic and environmental impact on households, businesses, and communities.
Despite the intentions, the project has experienced multiple setbacks due to BT and Gigaclear’s bidding disputes. Recently, MSP Douglas Lumsden criticized the project in parliament, calling it an “abject failure”. MSP Douglas noted that the original goal set to be hit by 2021 has been deferred until 2028. He indicated that only 29% of the original targets had been achieved so far, with the figure being as low as 15% in North Scotland and the Highlands.
Lumsden made damning remarks in Scottish Parliament adding that Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf is “in complete denial if he believes the R100 scheme has been a success”.
The situation has ignited heated debates and discussions about Northern British broadband coverage. To join in the discussion and learn more, this year’s Connected North invites all interested parties.
