Written evidence submitted by Lorna Harris (DCS0035)

Digital Connectivity in Scotland

Submission to Scottish Affairs Committee

I am making this submission as an individual living in a rural community in the Scottish Borders.

I am retired, living near Kelso. Increasingly my husband and I have become dependent on internet connectivity to perform everyday functions, such as banking and shopping. We are also both involved with a number of local charitable organisations, and our involvement with them relies heavily on the internet.

We have no choice as to broadband provider. We live in an area that is only served by BT. Our broadband speeds are appallingly slow. Today, by way of example, I have tried to perform a speed test so that I could include the result in this submission, but have been unable to download even that. This makes all day to day activity a tedious chore rather than an effective and efficient means of communication.

There is a broader issue here. If the Scottish Government wishes to see rural communities retain their existence, and values the contribution they make to the national economy and way of life, then provision of superfast broadband to such communities becomes not a desirable, but an essential, and indeed should be a priority.

Therefore, in answer to your first question, I would say that the level of coverage Scotland requires is considerably in excess of what is now achieved or promised. I have been confidently assured over the years that super fast broadband was about to arrive but have been disappointed now more times than I can begin to recall. I have therefore no confidence in current predictions of improvement for rural communities. Without knowing in detail the current plans for rollout, all I can say is that anything short of 100% coverage is unacceptable: anything less will inevitably adversely impact those affected, and disproportionately outweigh any perceived economic and social benefit for the majority.

As far as barriers to improvement (Q2) are concerned, I am not qualified to give an answer. However, to the extent that there is any economic or financial barrier, that should be unacceptable in 2018 in a first world economy.

Question 3 is an extension of my answer to Question 2.  If the funding is insufficient, despite substantial input from Westminster, then more funding will have to be found.

Again, I am not qualified to respond to Questions 4 and 5. But the fact that question 4 is asked makes me suspect that there is considerable room for improvement in relationships. This is worrying.

January 2018