Scottish broadband plans considered

17:55 28th April 2009

Communications minister Lord Carter has been in Scotland to discuss the country's future development of its high-speed internet infrastructure.

In a move designed to increase the potential for IT careers in Scotland, Lord Carter has been looking at the problems facing the roll-out of broadband internet connections across the country.

"Digital inclusion across Scotland is crucial," the minister said.

He added: "We must ensure the most remote and disadvantaged members of society are not left behind as the rest of the UK benefits from the opportunities created by new technologies."

The Westminster government has promised to boost access to high-speed broadband services across the UK so that every home and business in the country will be able to use broadband connections by 2012.

Such an investment will help to enable IT careers to spring up across the country, regardless of people's proximity to big cities or even offices.

Ministers have made the scheme an important part of the government's recent Budget designed to take the UK out of recession.