BT denies ignoring Scottish Borders with fibre broadband plans

BT has hit out at claims that its fibre optic broadband rollout programme has overlooked the Scottish Borders.

Conservative MSP John Lamont said he could not think of a good reason why the region had been ignored in the telecoms giant's latest round of super-fast broadband upgrades, reports BBC News.

Some 21 Scottish exchange areas - including Brechin, Irvine and Prestwick - have been included in the rollout programme, but none of the locations are in the Borders.

However, a BT spokeswoman stressed that many of the company's previous announcements had benefited the region over other parts of the UK.

For instance, she pointed out the Galashiels and Peebles have already been guaranteed access to fibre optic broadband in the near future.

In March, BT also rolled out the technology to homes and businesses in the small Borders town of Innerleithen, which was one of ten communities to secure super-fast broadband access via the company's Race to Infinity vote.