Orkney will see more places connected up with the expansion of the R-100 scheme. 1000 properties are included in this new round of investment.

The R100 North Lot contract extension covers an additional 1,488 premises in the following council areas: Argyll and Bute, Na h-Eileanan Siar (Outer Hebrides), Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands. The increased investment comes in at  £20.2 million from the Scottish Government; £9.4 million from the UK Government; and BT providing an additional supplier contribution of £0.8million. The North Lot extension is expected to be completed by March 2028

The South Lot contract extension covers an additional 1,149 premises in: Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire, East Lothian, Midlothian, Scottish Borders, South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire. The additional investment is made up from £6.6 million from the UK Government’s Project Gigabit programme and BT providing an additional supplier contribution of £0.9 million. The South Lot extension is expected to be complete by March 2025.

Openreach Scotland Partnership Director Robert Thorburn said: 

“The R100 build is once in a generation.

” Full fibre is future-proof – so the new network will always meet the nation’s needs. 

“Connecting these properties one by one is one of the biggest broadband challenges in Europe. To make the most efficient use of resources, we’ll align the R100 build with our own rural investment. We’ll continue to explore every option to reach more rural homes, faster.” 

Click on this link for the online address checker at scotlandsuperfast.com . It confirms the broadband status of all Scottish homes and businesses, including a six-month delivery window for premises eligible for R100 contract connections within the next year and a half.

Business Minister in the Scottish Government Ivan McKee said:

“This latest investment will connect more homes and businesses in Scotland’s rural and island communities to gigabit capable broadband. That will have far reaching economic, social and development impacts.

“Our R100 programme is going further, and providing faster broadband, than originally envisaged. This takes time and significant investment, but we are fully committed to ensuring that as many people as possible are able to enjoy the important advantages of this future-proofed digital infrastructure.”