AROUND 60,000 homes in Fife have been reached by Openreach's roll out of ultrafast broadband in Scotland.

Across the Kingdom, a third of local properties – including more than 2,500 businesses – are among those passed by the new ultrafast network, with more work planned on the ground this year.

The digital network’s superfast broadband is also available to 95 per cent of local homes and business premises.

Around £240m has now been invested across Scotland by Openreach who are also working with the Scottish and UK Governments to bring the technology to the hardest-to-reach properties, through funded programmes and voucher schemes launched by both governments.

Full fibre is up to 10 times faster than the average home broadband connection and around five times more reliable than the old copper-based network it’s replacing. Around 30 per cent of Scottish households and businesses have moved over to the new network in the areas where it’s available, meaning a further 70 per cent (560,000 homes) who could upgrade are currently missing out.

Scottish Government Business Minister Ivan McKee welcomed the progress of Openreach’s full fibre rollout.

"This is a vital part of our national infrastructure, helping people to work remotely and helping support a greener society," he said. "Our Digital Strategy for Scotland sets out the importance of digital connectivity to homes and businesses across the country.

"This welcome investment from Openreach, who are a signatory of Scotland’s Full Fibre Charter, supports our commitment to ensure that everyone in Scotland can access at least a superfast broadband connection.”

Katie Milligan, Openreach chief commercial officer and chair of its Scotland Board, added: “Full fibre is the best way to provide ultrafast, ultra-reliable internet to millions of Scots.

“Around a third of the 800,000 homes and businesses now reached by our new Scottish fibre network are rural. We’re connecting parts of the nation other networks don’t reach, bringing an economic boost and backing rural communities.

“Our superfast broadband is already available to most people in Scotland, but ultrafast full fibre is the future. It gives businesses, families and home-workers all the data they’ll ever need and provides the ultimate online experience at great value for money.”