UK needs to target broadband black-spots to move forward'
Businesses across the whole of the UK could benefit from super-fast broadband connections sooner if the government follows the Scottish parliament's example of 'filling in the gaps', it has been claimed.
Just recently it was announced that the Scottish parliament is to award a £5.5 million contract to the company it feels is best equipped to ensure that the one per cent of the country which is still unable to get broadband is able to do so.
According to Jim Mather, Scotland's enterprise minister, businesses of all sizes across the UK would benefit should such an initiative be funded by Westminster, with local authorities and regional development agencies used to provide broadband links in areas of low coverage.
He also added that the government would also do well to look overseas for effective examples of improving a country's overall broadband infrastructure by targeting the existing gaps first.
"When you look at the US and Canada, there is a very interesting pattern," he told the website Computer Weekly.
"Relatively small provinces such as Alberta or British Columbia are cracking on with their broadband deployments. By targeting specific areas, you actually improve broadband access faster."
About Us