NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Use 2 December 2009 DEMAND FOR BETTER BROADBAND IN TAYSIDE A parliamentary motion has been lodged in the Scottish Parliament that calls on the SNP Government to ensure that all parts of Scotland have access to good quality broadband at affordable rates. The parliamentary motion, lodged by Mid-Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser, highlights the problems experienced by residents and businesses in Angus and Perthshire, which exchanges such as Strathardle, Fern and Menmuir being full or near to full capacity. The full parliamentary motion reads as: “That the Parliament notes the vital importance of good quality broadband to households and businesses in remote and rural parts of Scotland; is concerned that there is now a two-tier communication system in Scotland that is holding back business growth in rural and remote areas; notes that many rural areas of Scotland are not receiving an improved broadband service, while its cities are continually able to access a faster and better service; further notes that there are a number of telephone exchanges that are full or near to full capacity in Tayside, such as Strathardle, Fern and Menmuir; understands that there are growing concerns about the quality, speed and cost of the Scottish Government-supported Avanti service to remote and rural areas, and believes that more should be done to ensure that all parts of the country have access to good quality broadband at affordable rates.” Murdo is concerned that faster and better broadband is being made available to internet users in Edinburgh and Glasgow while areas in Tayside and other parts of rural Scotland – including parts of the Angus Glens and Highland Perthshire – are still waiting for broadband connectivity. MSP Murdo Fraser is demanding action to get the whole of Tayside broadband enabled. Murdo’s parliamentary motion has support from the Greens and Labour and Murdo is disappointed that SNP MSPs are not backing the call for better broadband for rural areas. Commenting, Murdo said: “Rural Scotland is being short changed by the lack of broadband connectivity and there are a number of households and businesses in Tayside that cannot access appropriate broadband or any at all. “While we are seeing some parts of the country given the opportunity for even faster broadband services, parts of Tayside are being left behind. It is extremely frustrating for individuals and businesses in Angus and Perthshire who can not get broadband connectivity at all and it is holding businesses back. Already there is a two-tier communication system in Scotland and we every year it seems that we are seeing an even larger gulf in technology being offered to the cities compared to rural areas. This underlines that there is an urgent need for all of Tayside to be broadband-enabled and the SNP Government must make Tayside a priority for broadband connectivity. “I have lodged a parliamentary motion in the Scottish Parliament to highlight the need for broadband for rural and remote areas and it is disappointing that no SNP MSPs want to see rural Scotland get a fair deal when it comes to broadband connectivity. I will continue to put pressure on this SNP Government until the whole of Tayside, including all of the Angus Glens and Highland Perthshire, is broadband enabled.” ENDS   back to top of page