A further £1 million is to be made available to encourage rural businesses to take up broadband, Enterprise Minister Jim Wallace announced today.

Eligible businesses will be able to receive £1000 towards a two-way satellite system or a high-cost bespoke business broadband solution tailored specifically to their needs.

Mr Wallace said he had decided to introduce a new scheme following the success of last year’s incentive scheme which provided 3000 Scottish businesses with £2.2 million so that they could install broadband.

The Minister made the announcement during a visit to Midton Acrylics in Lochgilphead which benefited from an earlier pilot scheme to help companies take on a broadband satellite connection.

Jim Wallace said:

“Broadband can make a real difference for rural businesses. Talking to Ken Enock today here at Midton Acrylics the benefits of broadband are all too evident. Transferring large files around much more quickly makes life that much simpler for the company.

“Three thousand rural businesses have already taken advantage of our earlier incentive scheme. They know that it makes sense and I am keen that others should get the chance. I have therefore decided to make a further £1 million available to help companies in rural Scotland get connected to broadband.

“Broadband helps to remove some of the barriers which geography puts in the way of rural businesses. We are committed to growing Scotland ’s economy and it is clear to me that putting in place the technological infrastructure such as broadband is a key ingredient in our future economic success. That is why we are committed to rolling out broadband to every community in Scotland. It is equally important to ensure that communities also take advantage of broadband when it is available. That is why today’s incentive scheme is so crucial and I am sure it will be well received by rural businesses.”

Ken Enock, Managing Director of Midton Acrylics explained how the Broadband satellite system had aided the company which specialises in the manufacture of perspex presentation and trophy products.

"We have been connected to the Broadband Satellite System with the assistance of AIE and their support staff for over a year.  Our business is vitally reliant on rapid response to our customers' requests and the connection allows us to move files 20 times faster than conventional equipment, it also offers us the facility to utilise an FTP Server which speeds up the transfer of data and operates over the 24 hour period which is particularly helpful to transmit large files and for international customers who operate in different time zones. Therefore the provision of this service has assisted our business in the modern competitive environment has contributed to our supply of highly regarded products world wide."

More information on the grant can be found on the Broadband for Scotland web site