Investment to increase broadband speeds for key public buildings – including schools, health and community centres – in Aberdeen has been announced.
The £2m funding will connect 57 public buildings to broadband with speeds of up to a gigabit (1,000 mbps), paving the way for greater public and private sector investment in the future, said the Scottish Government.
It is being made available through a £254m investment package for the region, which is in addition to the £125 million Aberdeen City Region Deal.
Connectivity Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “Fast and reliable broadband is a key driver of economic growth. This is why we are committed to delivering 100% superfast broadband access across Scotland by 2021, along with enhanced connection speeds for key premises in Aberdeen.
“By providing fast and reliable broadband, capable of gigabit speeds, we are transforming Aberdeen into one of the UK’s best connected cities, unlocking greater commercial investment in the future.”
Councillor Jim Gifford, chair of the City Region Deal Joint Committee and leader of Aberdeenshire Council, said: “A special meeting of the Joint Committee has been called this week and will be considering this significant digital project.
“The investment is designed to be a catalyst. Whilst in the first instance this will benefit public buildings in the city, it will put in place the required infrastructure to unlock future growth into Aberdeenshire.
“The committee has ambitions to make this region one of the best connected in the UK and this could go some way to meeting that target.”