Committee publication · Scrutiny evidence · 17 December 2025 · HC 1461/HC 1460
Note of roundtable discussion with MPs on digital and fixed link connectivity
Summary
The Scottish Affairs Committee hosted a private roundtable with MPs on 12 November 2025 to discuss digital and fixed-link connectivity challenges in Scotland. MPs from affected constituencies described barriers to broadband deployment, including monopolistic practices by Openreach, misaligned UK and Scottish Government schemes, and inadequate regulatory incentives. On fixed links, discussants emphasised ferry service improvements must precede bridge solutions, with variable feasibility across island communities.
Key findings
- Rural communities face cultural stigma around connectivity expectations; poor broadband impacts micro-businesses, medical systems, banking authentication, and emergency services operations.
- Openreach operates as a monopoly in remote areas with insufficient incentive to connect nearby homes; smaller competitors face high access costs for ducts and poles, hampering market entry.
- Project Gigabit and R100 schemes lack alignment between UK and Scottish Governments, exclude smaller providers, and incentivise providers to prioritise easily accessible areas over hard-to-reach communities.
- Storm damage and network outages expose inadequate backup systems; telecom providers have no statutory requirement to supply longer battery backups, leaving communities without connectivity for weeks.
- Ferry service capacity must double and reliability must improve before fixed-link solutions; ferry services prioritise mainland rather than island perspectives, driving young people away from island communities.
Tone
FactualTopics
Key actors
Scottish Affairs Committee, Openreach, GoFibre, Ofcom, UK Government, Scottish Government, Members of Parliament
Notable line
“Members felt there was a cultural perception that rural communities do not 'deserve' high-quality broadband …”
Key Quotes
“… some Members felt there was a cultural perception that rural communities do not 'deserve' high-quality broadband, that those from rural and remote communities should 'expect' issues, and that small, rural populations are felt to be simply 'too difficult' to connect.”
“Openreach are failing in their responsibility to connect rural communities (including through an overly bureaucratic and complex interface with communities), while competitors – such as GoFibre are specifically targeting those areas and delivering strong results.”
“… companies were required to pay for access to both ducts and poles even if both were not required, adding extra costs to smaller companies and hampering competition.”
“Poor ferry reliability means that young people will leave island communities as commuting to the mainland for jobs is impractical.”
“Ofcom must take their responsibilities to rural and remote communities more seriously, as there is currently an erosion of public trust in the regulator amongst rural and remote communities”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗