High-speed broadband promised to extra 360,000 Scottish homes and businesses

The firm’s network currently reaches one million premises in Scotland and the new drive will target 55,000 premises in Ayrshire (specifically Kilmarnock, Ayr, Prestwick and Irvine), 70,000 premises in Fife (specifically Dunfermline, Dalgety Bay, Rosyth and Inverkeithing), plus the villages of Kirknewton (West Lothian), Kilmacolm, Houston, Crosslee, Craigends and Bridge of Weir (Renfrewshire).

Virgin said work is already underway in Ayrshire and Fife, and will be rolled out across the country shortly.

Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity and Member of the Scottish Parliament, said: “I welcome the news that Virgin Media will be rolling out ultrafast broadband to over 300,000 premises in Scotland alongside launching the first Scottish Tech City in Glasgow. The Scottish Government has put digital connectivity at the heart of its agenda, recognising that broadband is vital to the sustainability of our economy and communities.

“That is why we have made the commitment to ensure that 100 per cent of premises across Scotland will have access to superfast broadband by 2021. Commercial investment will play a huge part in delivering that commitment and I am delighted to welcome the substantial investment that Virgin Media are making in Scotland.”

Martin McFadyen, Regional Director for Scotland at Virgin Media, said: “We are delighted to be expanding our network to bring better broadband, faster connectivity and top-notch TV to more premises across Scotland. Our ambition is to give more people in Scotland the broadband boost they deserve. We urge local councils and landlords to work with us to ensure this expansion happens as quickly as possible.”