The Scottish Government’s Reaching 100% (R100) programme has been named among nine finalists for the European Commission’s 2026 European Digital Connectivity Awards.
It is the only UK entry, shortlisted in the category for champions in addressing the digital divide in rural and remote areas.
R100 faces two rivals in that category – Ireland’s National Broadband Plan and 5G Connect Danube Delta, a Romanian project bringing 5G to one of Europe’s most remote wetland regions.
We have always said that the Scottish Government funded R100 broadband programme was one of the most far reaching programmes in Europe. And we were right,” said Sarah Eynon, broadband programme director at the Scottish Government on LinkedIn.
She said: “In the year that the R100 broadband programme working with our contractors Openreach connected over 100k premises, this nomination reminds us to keep focused on the aims of the investment and our work – to level the playing field for communities throughout Scotland by extending and maximising the impact of investment, ensuring acces to the broadband they need to live, learn and work.
“Well done to the Scottish Government, BDUK [Building Digital UK] and Openreach teams, along with all the subcontractors and our stakeholders. Together we are making a difference for communities across Scotland.”
The European Commission said a jury picked the nine finalists after a full evaluation of applications from across Europe. All are projects judged to be making a tangible difference to very high-capacity connectivity.
R100 was set up to give every home and business in Scotland access to at least superfast broadband (30Mbps). It works through three strands: the main build contracts with Openreach, the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme, and continued commercial rollout.
The contracts are split into three lots covering the North, Central and South of Scotland. Most of the build is gigabit-capable full fibre rather than the superfast minimum first promised.
In June this year the Scottish Government said the programme had passed 100,000 premises connected across contracts and vouchers. Around 97,500 of those came through the subsidised Openreach contracts, which ISPreview values at £697m.
The voucher scheme remains open to premises outside the contract and commercial build, offering up to £5,000 towards a connection. Remaining build is scheduled to finish by March 2028.