Digital connectivity is one of the key priorities to strengthen Scotland’s island communities as laid out in the Scottish government’s new National Islands Plan.

Along with improved transport, the plan lays out how technological infrastructure improvements are vital to attracting and retaining people to Scotland’s iconic island communities. While these areas are renowned for their natural beauty and other-worldly feel, they are often disconnected from the broader Scottish ecosystem due to poor connectivity.

This can make it more difficult for businesses to attract workers, and for communities to retain their youth as the online world is more difficult to access.

The National Islands plan details how improved digital connectivity as well as better transport links can increase access to services, markets, and jobs that would otherwise evade islanders.

With more public and government services online, digital exclusion is fast becoming a detriment to those without fast, reliable internet access.

Without a reliable signal, workers would be unable to apply for remote jobs, take online classes, sign up for online public services, or access wider opportunities online.

The Plan says that despite increased funding from both the UK and the devolved Scottish government, gaps in coverage persist, “underlining the need for continued effort to extend infrastructure and improve digital access further.”

Still, the Plan highlights major progress, with 84% of Orkney covered by fast broadband, and just shy of 100% of North Ayrshire with access. In contrast, Orkney, Shetland and Na h-Eileanan Siar had no coverage back in 2014.

Despite lauding progress of various government programmes such as the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband initiative and the Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme, gaps persist, with Orkney and Shetland residents the least likely to express satisfaction in their internet connection.

Recommended reading

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• Scots Gov Exceeded Broadband Connection Target Last Year
• New UK Deal to Eliminate Mobile Blackspots on Busy Rail Routes

To address continuous issues, the Plan proposes a ‘mapping exercise’ to track broadband delivery and apparent gaps in gigabit coverage to better inform UK government and industry plans.

Beyond connectivity in transport and digital, the National Islands Plan intends to improve housing availability, health and social care, economy and education, climate and energy, poverty and social justice, and community culture.

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