People in Scotland are lagging behind in race to become a digital nation
19 August 2010
Responding to the publication today of the Ofcom Communications Markets Review (CMR) in Scotland, Communications Consumer Panel member for Scotland Fiona Ballantyne said:
“The latest communications review for the UK nations and regions shows significantly lower take-up of broadband in Scotland. We clearly still have some way to go before the UK becomes a broadband nation.
“People in Scotland risk missing out on the social and economic benefits of being online because they have limited access to fixed-line broadband. The growing number of low income, mobile-only households in Scotland is a further barrier - without a landline people can’t access the internet, and mobile broadband is still in its infancy.
Scotland’s digital development needs to be inclusive as well as ambitious and ensure that all disadvantaged groups can access digital communications, especially as more and more services and products are put online. Also, operators need to roll out mobile broadband to provide universal access across all four UK nations.”
Scotland lagging behind in race to become a digital nation (PDF 167KB, opens in a new window)