Perthshire business leaders welcome BT fibre broadband talks

Representatives of business interests in Perthshire have welcomed recent discussions with BT over the provision of high-speed fibre broadband services in the region.

Perthshire Chamber of Commerce has met with leading figures from BT Scotland to talk over plans to upgrade the area's main exchange with fibre broadband capabilities in the coming year, reports the Perthshire Advertiser.

During this meeting, BT's head of Scottish affairs Ian Shanks confirmed that almost 16,400 homes and businesses in Perth will benefit from superfast broadband, with Blairgowrie, Crieff and Kinross also set to reap rewards.

Chamber president Stephen Leckie described the discussions as "positive", but suggested the internet service provider needs to do more to bring high-speed services to the entire area.

"We remain concerned that businesses in other parts of Perthshire whose future relies on good broadband provision may have to wait nearly a decade for a key tool they need now," he said.

This echoes comments by Roseanna Cunningham MSP reported by the Advertiser in September, who said it is vital that Perthshire and Kinross-shire are able to keep pace with the city.