ONE of the major points to come out of the recent Scottish Budget Statement was the unveiling of £600 million for the Reaching 100 (R100) programme.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Derek Mackay MSP, has pledged the substantial sum to complete the programme which commits the government to providing every home and business in the country with access to “superfast broadband” by 2021.

So from Stirling to Stornoway and Oban to Orkney, we’ll finally be living in a country with adequate coverage – a marked improvement  from the current situation.

Speaking of that current situation, which countless commentators have criticised and agonised over (myself included), I think it’s only right that the government is highly commended for this bold initiative, which will have untold benefits for all of us.

Three Times Faster

While it seems there is finally a lot of noise and commitments being made by Westminster,  this pledge will see people in Scotland  enjoy internet speeds three times faster than the 10 Mbps minimum coverage being rolled out south of the border.

Having fair and sufficient internet speeds so readily available to everyone will make for a more technologically attractive Scotland.

It gives us a chance of being at the forefront of the digital revolution currently taking place globally and that attraction to investment will boost trade.

And for those thinking that this money will only be good for big business and high-flyers looking to secure their latest deal with outside investors, think again.

Updating our creaking infrastructure will help start-up businesses enjoy connection speeds which will allow people to work freely from home, with speeds currently only enjoyed in the most technologically advanced of office spaces.

Goodbye Buffering Wheel

It means that people in Scotland looking to use the internet to stream content or settle down with a film using the internet won’t have to put up with the all too familiar buffering wheel.

Closing the gap in those rural areas which aren’t as well connected is crucial and ensures that no matter where you are in the country, you can enjoy internet worthy of the 21st century.

Commsworld has previously met with the Scottish Government to give our thoughts on Scotland’s digital infrastructure so it’s encouraging to see that some of our thoughts and inputs have been reflected in these excellent initiatives.

We hope that we can work closely with the Scottish Government to offer continued advice, as although 30 Mbps is incredible at the moment, technology moves very quickly.

Therefore we’ll offer expert advice on how Scotland can stay at the forefront and cutting edge of the infrastructure landscape.

It’s certainly exciting times when locals in Orkney could be enjoying faster broadband than those in many of the UK’s biggest cities.