Schools, libraries, and community centres, hospitals and leisure centres are among the 154 sites that will benefit from ultrafast speeds for the first time, as well as more than 650 homes and businesses across the region. The upgrade to full-fibre will offer much faster internet connections with speeds up to 1Gbps per second.

The project is funded with a £2.7 million investment from the UK Government and £530,000 from the Tay Cities Region Deal. The introduction of a Local Full Fibre Network Programme supports a clean growth ambition across the Tay Cities region.

Councillor David Fairweather, Angus Council leader, said: “This investment brings major benefits to residents and businesses as we expand the fibre connectivity across Angus.

“The recent lockdowns over the past two years have demonstrated the importance of technology and internet connectivity. Faster internet connections enables critical public services and healthcare providers to improve the services they are providing, whilst enhancing learning, particularly during periods of learning at home, e-commerce, home working, remote socialising and entertainment.”

Perth & Kinross Council leader, Councillor Murray Lyle, added: “Good connectivity is vital for the world we live in. “Faster speeds will make a huge difference to our businesses and residents alike, making Perth and Kinross an even better place to live and work.”

Gillian Lane, account director for BT in Scotland, commented: “Connecting more communities, schools and health centres to the fastest connections possible over our ultrafast fibre broadband network will make a huge difference to people across Angus. As a major employer in the region, our colleagues and their families live and work in these communities and they are proud to be playing their part in helping public sector organisations to transform the services they can offer their citizens. Knowing children can learn more easily and helping Doctors’ access information quickly as more services shift online will be life-changing for many.”

Digital infrastructure minister, Julia Lopez, said: “The high speed, super reliable full fibre broadband we have funded across Angus and Perth and Kinross is a great example of how the UK government is levelling up Scotland’s communities.

“We have put dozens of schools, libraries, hospitals and other public buildings in the digital fast lane which will encourage further broadband investment in the region by commercial companies.”