More than 11,000 homes in Aberdeenshire have yet to be connected to superfast broadband through the SNP’s upgrade programme – the highest number out of any council area in Scotland.
The new figure means just 4,965 (31%) of homes in Aberdeenshire have benefited from the SNP’s flagship R100 broadband rollout, which has been plagued by delays and is not expected to be complete until 2028 – seven years behind schedule.
Statistics released by the Scottish Government show Aberdeenshire now has the highest number of homes in Scotland still waiting to be hooked up for faster broadband.
The Highlands is the next worst, with only 2,724 having benefited from the flawed project, resulting in a further 10,044 homes still waiting to be connected.
Angus still has 6,122 properties on the waiting list as only 513 have been hooked up, while only 783 have benefited from R100 in Moray, resulting in 4,888 still to be connected.
The R100 scheme, which was announced in 2017, was supposed to bring faster internet to 60,000 properties across the north and north-east by the end of 2021 but the completion date has now been pushed back by seven years to 2028.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Alexander Burnett, said: “Residents across Aberdeenshire will be appalled that almost 70% of homes are still to be connected to superfast broadband.
“This shocking revelation is further evidence of the SNP abandoning our rural communities and how much this scheme is lagging behind, holding back business and disadvantaging households.
“The SNP have failed miserably to deliver on their promise to provide superfast broadband, which is being hardest felt in Aberdeenshire.
“Continued delays to the Scottish Government’s botched programme will give little comfort to people in rural and remote areas of Aberdeenshire who are desperate to be connected.
“It’s vital these number are quickly improved so remote areas can benefit from better connectivity.”
