Figures recently published by the independent broadband news site ‘Think Broadband’ have shown that nearly a fifth of properties in Argyll and Bute are unable to access superfast broadband, despite a Scottish Government commitment to ensure that “every home and business [has] access to superfast broadband by 2021”.

The data shows that only 79.3% of properties across Argyll and Bute have access to superfast broadband, with 17.8% of properties on broadband speeds below 15 Mbps.

This is in stark contrast to the national average, with 93.10% of Scottish households able to access superfast broadband.

In addition, over 43% of Scottish properties now have access to ultrafast broadband, while only 0.2% of properties in Argyll and Bute can access this service.

Scotland as a whole lags behind England and Wales, with only Northern Ireland having a worse rate of coverage.

Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron said:

“For all the bluff and bluster from the SNP Government about investing in broadband, they are some way off delivering 100% access to superfast broadband in Argyll and Bute.

The fact that in 2018, nearly a fifth of properties in the area are still on slow speeds, is damning.

The SNP Government needs to tell local people what their plans are to give everyone the opportunity to access the type of broadband that urban Scotland have now become so accustomed to.”