Scots digital action plan leads the way
30th January 2012
CWU deputy general secretary Andy Kerr has
welcomed plans unveiled by the Scottish Government which could see
broadband internet speeds up to five times faster within three
years.
Launching Scotland's Digital Future: Infrastructure Action Plan earlier this week, Cabinet Minister Alex Neil said that he wanted a "step-change" in digital access for Scots, setting a target of 40-80Mbps for at least 85 per cent of premises by 2015.
"We relish the challenge to put Scotland at the forefront of the digital revolution and make world-class digital infrastructure a reality," added Mr Neil.
Giving his backing to the plan - which has also won support
from the Scottish Labour Party - Andy Kerr said
that it was "encouraging to see what appears to be a well
thought out and forward thinking plan from the Scottish
Government.
"Currently, people in Scotland are the least likely in the UK to have a broadband internet connection," Andy continued, going on to highlight last year's Ofcom survey, which showed that only 61 per cent of Scots have broadband, compared with an all-UK figure of 74 per cent.
"With more public services becoming available online and businesses depending more on world class digital access, there is a risk that Scotland will be left behind the rest of the UK unless this situation is tackled with strong Government intervention and leadership," he pointed out.
The union is determined to give its full support to Scotland's
Digital Future: Infrastructure Action Plan , Andy pledged
and said that the CWU is "looking at what involvement and
support we can offer as the Government takes this forward.
"CWU wants to see the Scottish Government's broadband strategy focused on a commitment to high-quality job creation, job security and skill development for the Scottish people and as a leading trade union representative of telecommunications workers throughout the UK, the CWU is keen to work with the Scottish Government and telecoms employers to further these aims."
