NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Use 10 February 2010d LAST CHANCE FOR BROADBAND REACH PROJECT There are two weeks left for households and businesses in Tayside to take advantage and sign up to the Broadband Reach Project and Mid-Scotland & Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser wants as many people as possible in Angus and Perthshire to apply. The Broadband Reach Project provides basic broadband to those who live too far from their local telephone exchange to receive a fixed-line connection. For customers who are not broadband-enabled and are able to take up the service, Murdo Fraser MSP wants them to apply before the deadline for applications, which is 28 February 2010. The Broadband Reach Project is being run by the Scottish Government and is being delivered by Avanti Communications and installation will take place the following calendar month. Commenting, Murdo said: “It is important that the blackspots in Angus and Perthshire are wiped out and that broadband is available throughout the area. That is why I want to see households and businesses throughout Tayside to take advantage of this project before it finishes at the end of February. “It is not right that the majority of Scotland enjoys high levels of broadband availability and our cities are seeing even faster and faster services while parts of Tayside are being left completely behind and unable to obtain a service. We must see more residents and businesses in Angus and Perthshire benefit from a broadband service which people in most areas of Scotland already take for granted. “I have spoken to a number of constituents in Angus and Perthshire who have had problems with broadband and the Avanti contract. It is clear that some households and businesses in our area are unable to get broadband even through the Scottish Government backed schemes. That is why I believe that we need a long-term solution installed now for Angus and Perthshire that will continue to work for the next 30 or 40 years. “I will continue to put pressure on the Scottish Government until the whole of Angus and Perthshire is broadband enabled. It is clear to me that too many people in Angus and Perthshire are receiving a second class service without broadband which is totally unacceptable and is holding back business growth in remote areas.” ENDS   back to top of page