The Highlands and Island Initiative: network modernisation in the north of Scotland

To help improve the telecommunications infrastructure, British Telecom (BT) in conjunction with the Highlands and Islands Development Board (HIDB), has set up the Highlands and Islands Initiative. This is a £16 million programme to accelerate digital modernisation of the network, about £5 million of which is being provided by the HIDB (which is funded by the Scottish Office). It is being used for updating the network in 38 exchange areas throughout the North of Scotland District (many in remote areas), plus 5 in the West of Scotland District. The money is being used primarily for installation of concentrators and multiplexers (about £14 million), with about £2 million on modernisation of the network itself. A further £1 million has also been allocated for creation of the Network Services Agency, a wholly owned subsidiary of BT, to provide computer facilities (Value Added Network Services) for customers in the area