Almost 7000 homes and businesses in Moray and Banffshire are set to receive a high-speed broadband connection as part of the Digital Highlands and Islands project which is supported by the Scottish Government.
Led by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise, engineers will soon begin installations across Scotland.
Locally Rothiemay, Longmorn, Clochan, and Rothes will receive the technology for the first time, while additional improvements will be made to the existing networks in Buckie, Elgin, Forres and Keith.
MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast, Stewart Stevenson, was first to welcome the announcement, saying: “I am pleased to see the continued expansion of high-speed broadband to Moray and Banffshire & Buchan Coast and I’m grateful to the Scottish Government for their commitment to this project and the rural areas of my constituency.
“The increased connectivity will help local businesses to thrive and enable further growth as locations receive the technology for the first time. I look forward to seeing the changes as we continue on target for world class connectivity by 2020.”
Confirming the expansion of the project was BT Scotland Director Brendan Dick, who said: “The civil engineering project underpinning this new network is not just one of the biggest in Scotland but is among the most complex anywhere in Europe.
“Openreach has been recruiting dozens of extra engineers to help shape Scotland’s future and many of our young apprentices are gaining valuable experience helping to connect up people to fibre in local communities across Scotland.”