BT to boost Scottish fibre broadband coverage

BT has announced plans to further increase its fibre optic broadband coverage in Scotland.

Some 45,600 additional homes and businesses in Galashiels, Peebles, Perth, Bannockburn, Morningside and Strathaven are set to be upgraded by the telecoms giant in 2012, BBC News reports.

The move will take the number of Scottish premises with access to fibre broadband to more than 372,000, with the work scheduled for completion by autumn 2012.

Brendan Dick, director of BT Scotland, said the investment in these six exchange areas is set to propel local internet users "into the 21st century fast lane".

"Residents and businesses in these latest locations can look forward to choosing a high-speed connection over a network offering an unrivalled choice of suppliers," he added.

The news comes shortly after the company announced more than 8,000 properties in Edinburgh's Fountainbridge area will receive fibre optic broadband access over the coming weeks.

More than 48,000 premises in the Scottish capital are either already connected to the high-speed internet service, or soon will be.