Fibre optic broadband a must for Aberdeen, says MP

Fibre optic broadband is needed in Aberdeen if the city is to play a key role in leading the UK to economic recovery, an MP has argued.

Sir Robert Smith, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, told the UK government that barriers standing in the way of the deployment of the technology must be removed, reports the Press and Journal.

North Sea service firms and other businesses in the area need access to super-fast broadband, he insisted, with these faster services currently being rolled out in other parts of the country.

Kate Yuill, policy and communications manager at Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, agreed with Mr Smith's comments.

"It is very important that our businesses, which contribute so much to both the Scottish and UK economies, have access to the fastest and most up-to-date broadband connections," she remarked.

Aberdeen was not included in BT's most recent fibre optic broadband deployment plans, although the town of Montrose - which lies around 40 miles to the south on the North Sea coast - will get access to the service.