Sosa project seeking fibre broadband funding

Scottish public sector organisations are set to apply for government money to bring fibre optic broadband to the south of the country.

The South of Scotland Alliance (Sosa), comprising Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders councils, local NHS boards and Scottish Enterprise, is working on the bid to close the digital divide between the nation and the rest of Britain, reports BBC News.

Dumfries and Galloway Council leader Ivor Hyslop, who is also the joint-chairman of Sosa, said fibre broadband access would help public bodies in Scotland become more efficient, while community development and economic regeneration would also be given a boost.

Reports will be presented to both councils on August 25th 2011 detailing the likely financial implications of the initiative.

According to Ofcom, around 500,000 homes across the UK had fibre broadband access by May, while BT and Virgin Media's next-generation services are available to 57 per cent of residential properties.

Eight in ten super-fast broadband subscribers are satisfied with their connection, the regulator found.