Question reference: S5W-00118
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 18 May 2016
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Current status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 1 June 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to give BT a role in delivering its commitment to provide 100% superfast broadband coverage across the country and, if so, what consideration it has given to the reported criticism of the company's performance in the rollout in Argyll and Bute and the service it provides to phone and broadband customers.
Answer
The Scottish Government is currently working with BT to deliver the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme, which will provide fibre broadband to at least 95% of premises in Scotland by the end of 2017.
Any new public investment to deliver the 100% superfast broadband commitment will be delivered via new open procurements. Until these contracts are awarded, it is not possible to determine what role, if any, BT might play in delivery.
The Scottish Government is aware of the reported criticisms of BT Openreach's quality of service and is encouraged that Ofcom has set out clear proposals for higher minimum standards and more severe penalties for non-compliance.