New figures released by the Scottish Government show a “paltry” rise in the number of properties across the Western Isles that have been connected to superfast broadband over the last year.
The data, which was requested by Regional Highlands and Islands MSP Tim Eagle, shows that just 15 properties have been connected through the Scottish Government’s Superfast Broadband Voucher Scheme since 2023.
In addition to this, the figures confirmed that, as yet, no properties in the Western Isles have yet been connected to superfast broadband through the main R100 scheme, which was established in 2016.
Previous information released by the Scottish Government last year stated that 2,206 local premises were scheduled to be connected via R100, and a further 1,975 premises were eligible for the Voucher Scheme.
The Scottish Government originally promised to connect 100% of homes and businesses to superfast broadband through R100 by 2021, but this has since been revised to be completed by 2028.
Highlands and Islands MSP Tim Eagle said:
“The news last year that not a single property in the Western Isles had been connected to superfast broadband, either via R100 or the Superfast Broadband Voucher Scheme, since 2016, was extremely disappointing.
"A pledge was made in 2016 to connect every home and business in Scotland to superfast broadband by 2021, and this has not happened. In fact, it has been delayed to 2028.
“I will continue to monitor this issue, as it is unacceptable that residents have to wait this long, and longer, just to access the kind of broadband that many in the mainland have enjoyed for years now."
