Highland gains for Thus

Telco Thus has won a £70m, seven-year contract to supply broadband links across the public sector in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

The deal covers around 800 schools, libraries and other public buildings. It follows a four-month procurement process.

Thus - once known as Scottish Telecom - will use a mix of technologies to satisfy the premises' remote broadband needs including fibre, wireless and old-fashioned copper phone lines.

Highland Council chief executive Arthur McCourt called the move "a vital step in modernising local government".

It is estimated around 60 per cent of sites will be connected next year with the full rollout completed by two years from now.