Call for further details on Borders fibre broadband plan

Scottish Borders Council (SCB) has approved a fund of £8.4 million to roll out super-fast broadband in southern Scotland, but some questions remained unanswered, according to one councillor.

Executive member for economic development Stuart Bell said there was still a lack of detail over which businesses and how many homes will benefit ahead of the June 2013 procurement announcement.

He had particular concerns over the exact level of local coverage, according to the Southern Reporter.

"It will be over 75 per cent, but is it 80, 85 or 90 per cent?" he said, adding that businesses want to know what speed of broadband they will get and when they will receive it.

Mr Bell now wants the SBC and neighbouring Dumfries and Galloway Council to be at the head of the queue for installation of the next-generation broadband.

A total of £21 million has now been committed towards the South of Scotland Broadband project and Nicola Sturgeon, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities, explained that increasing access to fast broadband remains a key priority area for the Scottish government.