Lothian Broadband Networks Limited (LBNL) has announced the next stage of their planned ultrafast fibre broadband rollout into the Scottish Highlands.

The first phase of the Highlands cluster will focus on an initial 5,000 premises starting in Alness and expanding outwards to include the towns of Evanton and Invergordon. This phase will also extend northwards to include Ardross as well as several smaller villages along the way.

With planning already complete, network construction is due to start later this month with the first 1,000 homes in Alness on track to be ready for service before the end of 2022.

As part of this move, LNBL are also launching a new ISP brand and will trade in the Highlands as Highland Broadband.

Gavin Rodgers, CEO of Lothian Broadband Networks Limited, said: “We are hugely excited to be bringing FTTP connectivity to the Highlands; already having an FWA business in the Highlands means we know first-hand the difference that this move will make to the communities within this region.

“We are especially grateful for the support from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) who have supported us in our plans to bring ultrafast connectivity to an area of Scotland where only 0.14% of homes currently have access to a gigabit service.”

Jamie Stone, Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland, and Easter Ross said: “I am delighted to have supported Lothian Broadband’s plans to bring gigabit connectivity to Easter Ross.

“Improving broadband connectivity in the Highlands at pace is absolutely key to our success as a region, and I look forward to the day that every household and business in my constituency can access superfast speeds. This is an excellent start.”

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UK Digital Infrastructure Minister, Julia Lopez MP, said: “Our innovative voucher scheme means people living and working in Easter Ross will soon benefit from lightning-fast internet connections.

“Our plan is to unleash growth across the Highlands through the biggest broadband roll out in British history. Our £5 billion Project Gigabit is making sure hard-to-reach areas across Scotland do not miss out on faster, more reliable broadband.”

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