BT rolls out fibre broadband to Ardrossan and Saltcoats

BT has rolled out fibre optic broadband to the Scottish communities of Ardrossan and Saltcoats, in a move welcomed by Katy Clark MP and Kenneth Gibson MSP.

Over the coming weeks, the telecoms giant will extend super-fast broadband coverage to more than 13,400 homes and businesses in the two locations, which have become the first parts of North Ayrshire to gain access to the technology.

Upgrades are also scheduled to be carried out in nearby Irvine, Kilbirnie, Kilwinning and Stanecastle by the end of 2013, by which time coverage will have been extended to over 36,800 properties in the area.

Katy Clark, MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, said the rollout is a "significant step" for Ardrossan and Saltcoats that comes at a time when the local economy is in need of a boost.

Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson added: "Investment in this type of infrastructure is essential to put North Ayrshire and Scotland at the cutting edge of information and communication technology."