Openreach have unveiled plans to supply Kelso, Maxwellheugh and Sprouston with full fibre broadband.
Full fibre broadband is ultrafast and ultra reliable. It’s part of a bigger announcement involving ‘harder to reach’ areas across the UK, with building to start in the next 14 months. Kelso and the surrounding areas will benefit as part of Openreach’s previously stated target to reach four million homes and businesses with ‘full fibre’ technology by the end of March 2021.
The local MP, John Lamont, who has campaigned for better broadband for the area, welcomed the news.
John Lamont MP said: “I am sure the residents in these communities will be as delighted as I am about this news. I have been working with residents in Sprouston over many years as we have tried to improve their poor current broadband speeds.
“Having access to a fast and reliable broadband connection should be a viewed as an essential service which everyone should be entitled to. Furthermore, full fibre broadband availability will help to boost our rural economy and help to keep businesses here in the Borders.
“There is still plenty to do as there are too many households and communities around the Borders that do not get a good broadband connection. I will continue to work with Openreach and both of Scotland’s governments to ensure that this happens soon.”
