Stone welcomes better Caithness connections for internet inclusion
After Halkirk lost its title of having the “worst internet connection in the UK”, Jamie Stone MP applauded work to improve Caithness connections.
The Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP successfully liaised with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) regarding the inclusion of some of the remotest parts of the constituency in its programme to bring reliable broadband to hard-to-reach homes.
Mr Stone said: “I am delighted that after years of campaigning, the Government has finally recognised the need for better broadband coverage in the far north. To put it simply, it’s about unlocking opportunities for people in remote and rural areas of the UK. No one in the UK should be disadvantaged because of where they live.”
Project Gigabit is the UK Government's programme rolling out fast, reliable broadband to hard-to-reach homes and businesses across the UK.
DCMS has announced it has signed a £157 million contract with the broadband supplier Openreach to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to up to 65,000 premises across central, northern and western Scotland, some of which are located in Mr Stone’s constituency of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross.
The purpose of this investment is to improve digital connectivity for communities that would otherwise not be reached by rollout plans.
Mr Stone has previously engaged with Building Digital UK regarding the project's plans for his constituency and has “relentlessly called for greater connectivity” in the House of Commons since his first election in 2017.
He added: “For too long, an inability and insufficient market appetite have left citizens in the Highlands without reasonable coverage, being treated as second-rate customers. I look forward to this changing, and to the economic growth that this will drive in our Highland communities.”
