Funding awarded to Shetland fibre optic broadband project

[Shadow]

*Funding awarded to Shetland fibre optic broadband projectMonday, September 27th 2010Residents and businesses in Shetland should get access to faster broadband when work to connect the islands to a fibre optic cable is complete.European funding has been awarded to a project which seeks to connect Shetland to fibre optic broadband.The initiative, which has been granted £367,500 from the European Regional Development Fund, will see Shetland hooked up to a fibre optic cable running from the Scottish mainland to the Faroe Islands.Finance secretary John Finney announced the news on a visit to Shetland, describing it as being "particularly good" for businesses and residents of the islands, who will enjoy "greatly enhanced" broadband connections."This award builds on the Scottish government's efforts to improve broadband services across Scotland and to realise its undoubted social and economic benefits," Mr Finney added.He went on to express his delight at the fact that European funding is benefitting projects in the Highlands and Islands.Earlier this month, the Scotsman reported that 3 Mobile is planning to invest £38.2 million to double the number of mobile broadband masts it has north of the border.*