This week I’ve been on a bit of a road trip. I’ve been to Wester Ross, the Isle of Skye, Harris, Lewis and Ullapool.
For most of my journey, I endured the spinning wheel on my mobile phone, coverage varying from none to occasionally being spoiled with a bit of 3G.
When I stepped on to the brand new Loch Seaforth ferry with all the bells and whistles, I found the wi-fi isn’t even installed yet.
On Tuesday I was at the Scottish Government summer Cabinet event in Ullapool and mobile phone coverage and broadband connection came up.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney stressed the Scottish Government is investing more than £400 million in it and is “determined to do everything it possibly can to ensure that in every locality in Scotland, everyone has access to superfast broadband”.
However, this is tough as BT is not forthcoming on where it is not going to roll it out, which is thought to be about 5% of Scotland.
Thankfully, Community Broadband Scotland is working on solutions to get superfast broadband to the areas BT won’t.
The Highlands and Islands have been outperforming the rest of Scotland’s economy and much of this is down to the barriers of accessing the marketplace being removed by digital connectivity.
Also, an HIE report showed more than half of young people surveyed said the region is a better place to live now than it was five years ago but that better mobile connectivity is the key to them staying and moving to the region.
If we are to ensure the Highlands and Islands part of Scotland’s economy keeps performing, it must be a place where the people who live there and visit can be connected.
The Scottish Government can’t take its foot off the gas on high-speed broadband roll-out and must keep the pressure on mobile providers.