This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Broadband in the South of Scotland
18/03/2003
Six tenderers have been selected to submit outline proposals for the South of Scotland Pathfinder project which aims to meet the broadband requirements of local authorities, schools and health services in the area.
The successful tenderer is expected to be selected in the autumn with work starting next year.
Broadband offers reliable high-speed access to the Internet and telecoms services. The Executive believes it offers considerable opportunities for the improved delivery of public services.
Speaking in Hawick, Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services Peter Peacock said:
"This is exciting news for the South of Scotland. We are determined to deliver broadband links in rural Scotland and this is another step towards that goal for the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway.
"This brings broadband technology a step closer to the people who can benefit from it most. We cannot allow rural communities to fall behind simply because they cannot access the kind of technology that could revolutionise their lives.
"Broadband means that geography need no longer be a disadvantage. It will allow schools in remote areas to access online learning and will open doors for the use of telemedicine as well as helping local authorities deliver modern services."
Aggregated procurement is a new approach to telecoms procurement for the public sector. It is being tested in two Pathfinder areas - the Highlands and Islands and the South of Scotland, selected on the basis that the market was unlikely to meet anticipated demand under current procurement practices.