Written question asked by Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 3 July 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 July 2008. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 September 2008 on behalf of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

Internet: Scottish Islands

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent steps his Department has taken to provide upgrades to internet services to the Scottish Islands; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has not been directly involved in any recent activity to upgrade internet services in the Scottish Islands.The Scottish Government, however, announced on 26 June 2008 that it had signed a £3.3 million contract to deliver an affordable broadband service to those eligible households and businesses that registered as being ““out of reach”” of the technology. Avanti Caledonian Broadband Ltd, the selected supplier, aims to utilise a mix of technologies, including satellite and wireless, to deliver a broadband solution appropriate to the location and density of those that have made themselves known to the Scottish Government.

Secondary information