SNP Candidate for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan,
today commented on the “formidable record” which the SNP
Government has had in bringing superfast broadband to the
Western Isles, but acknowledged more was to be done. He yesterday [Tuesday] met with people in Coll, Isle of Lewis, about continuing
problems they have had getting connected.
Alasdair Allan commented:
“Connectivity is hugely important to the island economy, yet
a year and a half ago, nobody in the Western Isles had
superfast broadband, because BT would not come here. A
huge amount of Government investment and hard work by HIE
means that by the end of this year, over 70% of premises in
the islands should be able to access superfast broadband.
“But I absolutely understand why that is no consolation to
people yet to be connected. That is why the First Minister
recently committed an incoming SNP Government to bring
superfast broadband to 100% of premises in
Scotland. Everyone in Scotland deserves the same digital
opportunity, wherever they live.
“Yesterday I met with Annie Macaulay who is one of those from Coll in Lewis, who
are as yet still unable to subscribe to superfast broadband,
despite most of the district around them being connected. I
understand why there are always going to be areas which are
slower to connect than others, but the issue here is why BT can’t give any commitment to upgrading “exchange only” customers like these, despite having had a huge amount of infrastructure in the surrounding area essentially provided to them by the Government.”
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