THOUSANDS of homes and businesses in the Borders now have access to better broadband speeds thanks to a Scottish Government scheme.

Openreach engineers, alongside parters, worked to extend full fibre technology to around 4,400 homes and businesses as part of the R100 rollout.

The rollout has reached 40,000 hard to connect properties in Scotland, including those in Lauder, Morebattle, Smailholm, and Westruther.

Addresses in Denholm, Earlston and Whitome are in line for upgrades to ultra-fast connections.

Scottish Government Innovation Minister Richard Lochhead said: “It’s hugely important for homes and businesses to benefit from a full fibre upgrade in places such as Stichill and Yetholm.

“The R100 contracts are delivering future-proofed digital infrastructure that will underpin economic growth and enhance the economic prospects of communities across Scotland, for decades to come.

“Digital connectivity is transforming how we live our lives. It connects us in new and different ways, improving public services and helping businesses develop new products and reduce costs.”

Where can you access Full Fibre in the Borders?

These are the areas which have seen works take place as part of the R100 rollout

  • Birgham
  • Blainslie
  • Coldstream
  • Denholm
  • Earlston
  • Ettick Valley
  • Fountainhall
  • Gordon
  • Hawick
  • Lauder
  • Leitholm
  • Lilliesleaf
  • Morebattle
  • Roxburgh
  • Selkirk
  • Smailholm
  • Stichill
  • Whitsome
  • Yetholm

Upgrades to Scotland's broadband network are part of the Scottish Government's £600 million 'Reaching 100% Programme'.

Full fibre broadband is 30 times faster than the Scottish Government original commitment of providing superfast broadband to properties which had connections of less than 30Mbps (Megabits per second).

For properties which have previously only had access to slower broadband speeds, full fibre can help provide a reliable and resilient connection, fewer faults, and can future-proof connections as demand for consistent broadband coverage grows.

Robert Thorburn, Openreach partnership director for Scotland, said: “The R100 programme is bringing fast, reliable broadband to the hardest-to-reach places in Scotland, with lots of new work starting in the weeks and months ahead.

“We’re working closely with Scottish Borders Council and our build partners to plan and deliver this huge civil undertaking with the least possible disruption to residents.

“It’s a complex build and our engineers and operatives may need to install new poles or ducts and cables to reach some households, so we want local people to be aware of the important work they’re doing.

“It’s a once-in-a-generation build which will give Scotland’s least connected premises access to the best, most reliable broadband around.”

Broadband customers which now have access to full fibre can arrange for their broadband to be upgraded by contacting their service provider directly.

To see if the R100 rollout has reached your address, or to register for updates – which can help Openreach see demand in each Borders community – visit: www.openreach.co.uk/r100