MORE than 5,700 homes and businesses in the Borders will get fibre broadband as part of the £410 million Digital Scotland partnership.
The council is also investing £8.4m in the project which will see nearly 5,200 properties in Melrose and Selkirk receive high speed technology for the first time, while 570 additional premises will be connected in Galashiels, building on its existing fibre broadband.
Council leader David Parker said: “This is great news, not only for members of the public, but for the local economy as well.
“It makes these parts of the Borders even more attractive for new business start-ups and expansions.”
Councillor Parker added: “Scottish Borders Council is committed to the delivery of superfast broadband and we will continue to work towards getting even more communities in the region connected, as a matter of priority.”
Michael Moore MP also welcomed the news. He said: “For too long, people living rural areas have missed out on investment in broadband services and this has damaged businesses and been extremely frustrating for local people.
“I am glad that as a result of EU, UK, Scottish and local government funding and investment from BT, we will begin to see vastly improved broadband in the Borders over the next few years.”