'Scotland must be ambitious and innovative in its drive for faster broadband for all'
Urgent action is needed to ensure all of Scotland has access to high speed broadband, if the country is not to fall behind its international neighbours or deepen the digital divide between its own communities, according to a new report Digital Scotland, published today by the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
The report, chaired by Professor Michael Fourman, Chair of Computer Systems at Edinburgh University, urges the Scottish Government to adopt a target of country-wide access to speeds of 16Mb/s by 2015. This can only be achieved through the development of a core backbone infrastructure that will bring fibre within reach of all of Scotland’s communities. Digital Scotland advocates the creation of a Digital Scotland Trust to deliver and operate Scotland’s national digital infrastructure.
Professor Fourman explained, “Good internet access is crucial to our economic competitiveness and we must recognise that countries such as Finland and Sweden have committed to minimum speeds of 100Mb/s, compared to the UK’s unambitious target of 2Mb/s. Scotland cannot afford to be left behind,”
"Access to high speed broadband will not only help our businesses but will also transform the way our public services are delivered and give us greater opportunities and flexibility in our work and social lives. Rural communities which have previously struggled to engage with the modern economy can now do so. Tele-medicine and remote monitoring will improve rural healthcare. Parents raising children can work flexibly from home and older people will have new opportunities to remain active and engaged with society.”
The full report is available on the RSE’s website at www.royalsoced.org.uk.