Edinburgh is to receive funding of £10.7m to bring 90% of Edinburgh residents and businesses high speed broadband by 2015, the UK Government announced today.
Edinburgh is one of ten cities to benefit from the expansion of urban internent connectivity.
“Fast broadband is essential for growth, and is key to the country’s economic future,” said Culture Secretary Maria Miller. “The new investment will help put these cities at the centre of the digital stage, competing for jobs and investment with the best in the world.”
The capital funding to be managed by the City of Edinburgh Council will enhance wireless zones in key streets, squares and parks, initially focused in the city centre.
The project is part of the £100m of Urban Broadband funding set up by the Westminster government for their Super-Connected Initiative, which was announced in March.
The final ‘Connected Capital’ plan for Edinburgh was submitted by the City of Edinburgh Council ahead of today’s announcement. The Council also agreed to commit £1.9m of revenue funding to deliver the programme at a meeting in April this year. Further funding and revenue streams will be sought to allow specific programme activities.
Cllr Alasdair Rankin, Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee, said: “This is great news for Edinburgh. We knew the funding was coming but now the exact amount has been announced we can put our plans into action to make Edinburgh a super connected city."
He added: “This project is a great example of the Capital Coalition’s pledge to provide for economic growth and prosperity. I am confident it will help Edinburgh to attract news jobs and investment, help unemployed people into work or learning and will greatly enhance our offering as a digitally inclusive city.”