That the Parliament recognises that the Scottish Government’s 95% fibre broadband target does not guarantee superfast broadband speeds and that there remains a digital divide in Scotland, where many rural and deprived communities have slow or no broadband access; acknowledges that progress has been made in improving overall broadband coverage from a low base; recognises that, as well as the role played by the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme, including local authority partners, communities have also played their part in increasing access by creating their own broadband systems, which should be supported by the R100 roll-out, and calls on the Scottish and UK governments to work together to provide universal coverage that is future-proofed, where all communities have access to affordable, high-speed broadband and ensures that Scotland is a world leader in digital connectivity.
Supported by:
Humza Yousaf
That the Parliament acknowledges that the gap in broadband coverage between Scotland and the rest of the UK has been bridged in recent years; recognises the role played by the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme, including local authority partners, which has now exceeded its 95% fibre broadband coverage target and will continue rolling out throughout 2018 and into 2019; notes the investment of £600 million by the Scottish Government in the Reaching 100% (R100) programme, which seeks to provide access to superfast broadband to all homes and businesses, including in remote, rural and island communities, and calls on the UK Government to increase its funding contribution to R100 from just 3% of the total and ensure that Scotland sees tangible financial, social and environmental benefits from the broadband Universal Service Obligation.
Submitted by: Colin Smyth, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date lodged: Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Supported by: Claudia Beamish
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Thursday, May 3, 2018
Result 104 for, 2 against, 6 abstained, 17 did not vote Vote Passed
Submitted by: Peter Chapman, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date lodged: Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Supported by: Finlay Carson, Liam Kerr, Tom Mason
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Thursday, May 3, 2018
Result 28 for, 84 against, 0 abstained, 17 did not vote Vote Defeated
Submitted by: Mike Rumbles, North East Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date lodged: Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Thursday, May 3, 2018