The Scottish National Investment Bank said it has invested a further £10 million in Highland Broadband, which is part of Lothian Broadband Networks Limited.
The bank initially provided cornerstone funding of £20 million to Highland Broadband in 2021 and a further £20 million in 2023, which helped it install gigabit-capable networks to areas of East Lothian, Stirlingshire, Fife and the Highlands north of Inverness.
“The follow-on investment is enabling the company, which services customers in communities across Scotland, to tackle digital inequality by expanding its delivery of ultrafast broadband coverage,” said the SNIB.
Highland Broadband estimates that around half a million premises across Scotland are still without access to gigabit-capable networks and it plans to connect as many of those as possible over the next few years.
The SNIB’s latest investment will help the company make significant progress, providing connectivity to over 100,000 premises.
As part of its latest phase, Highland Broadband began deploying further network throughout the Highlands across the Black Isle, Great Glen and the Cairngorms.
Highland Broadband CEO Gavin Rogers said: “The Highlands and Islands face unique connectivity challenges, but we view overcoming these barriers as essential for providing what should be a basic service for everyone in Scotland.
“The Bank’s continued support has enabled us to accelerate our plan to connect these regions, which ultimately helps reduce place based inequality in areas such as education, employment and healthcare.”
The bank said: “Prior to starting work in 2015, less than 1% of premises from Inverness to the north of Scotland, the Black Isle, and on the east coast had access to a gigabit capable network.
“The company’s work has now improved that to around 80% and expects to reach 98% coverage by the end of this year.”
Andy Clapp, executive director, Scottish National Investment Bank, said: “Our support of Highland Broadband’s multi-year effort to connect all parts of Scotland aligns with one of our core missions to increase equality through improving spaces.
“The installation of gigabit capable networks, which so many of us take for granted, is already having a real-world impact that’s strengthening the threads of Highland communities.”