Select committee: Scottish Affairs Committee
Connectivity in Scotland: Digital connectivity
Open
Opened 14 Nov 2025
Scottish Affairs Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Inquiry scope (the committee's words)
Reliable digital infrastructure is essential for enabling economic growth, public service delivery and social inclusion—especially in Scotland’s rural and island communities. These areas often face unique challenges due to geographic isolation and low population density, which can make the rollout of broadband and mobile networks more complex and costly. This inquiry will explore how digital connectivity can be improved across Scotland, and whether current UK and Scottish Government initiatives are delivering for the communities that need them most. Read the call for evidence for more details about the inquiry. This is one of two inquiries looking into connectivity in Scotland. We have also launched an inquiry into fixed transport links. For more information, visit - Connectivity in Scotland: Fixed links - Committees - UK Parliament If you have faced issues with digital connectivity in Scotland, please let us know by completing our short survey .
Where it stands
The inquiry is open, opened 14 November 2025.
The committee has not published a report yet.
Evidence
- 4 oral evidence sessionsLatest 28 October 2026
- 1 written submission
- 16 witnesses
Recent activity
- Scotland’s high streets – session 428 October 2026, Oral evidence
- Digital connectivity – part II – Session 114 October 2026, Oral evidence
- Correspondence from TalkTalk regarding follow up from 25 March evidence session, dated 30 September 2026 14 October 2026, Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions
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| Date | Session and witnesses | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Oct 2026 |
Scotland’s high streets – session 4
Fiona Cayley · GoFibre,
Garret Kavanagh · Openreach,
Ian Bolas · HebNet CIC,
Robert Thorburn · Openreach
|
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| 14 Oct 2026 |
Digital connectivity – part II – Session 1
George Robinson · VodafoneThree,
Jonathan Freeman · Cellnex UK,
Lorna Scott · NFU Scotland,
Mrs Anna Gardiner · Scottish Land & Estates,
Simon Miller · Virgin Media O2
|
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| 25 Mar 2026 |
Connectivity in Scotland – Session 2
Alex Mather · Digital Connectivity Forum,
Emily Davidson · Sky,
George Robinson · VodafoneThree,
Neil Smith · TalkTalk
|
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| 25 Feb 2026 |
Connectivity in Scotland: Digital connectivity - session 1
Ann MacDonald · Scottish Islands Federation,
Mhari McLeman · n/a,
Páll Højgaard Vesturbú · Faroese Telecom,
Rhoda Meek · Tiree Community Development Trust
|
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Written evidence
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| Reference | Date | Submitter |
|---|---|---|
| CISDC0046 | 13 Oct 2026 | Openreach |
Who gave evidence
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| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| George Robinson · Head of Government Affairs | VodafoneThree | 2 |
| Alex Mather · Head | Digital Connectivity Forum | 1 |
| Ann MacDonald · Associate Director | Scottish Islands Federation | 1 |
| Emily Davidson · Director of Policy and Public Affairs | Sky | 1 |
| Fiona Cayley · General Counsel | GoFibre | 1 |
| Garret Kavanagh · Managing Director of Complex Engineering | Openreach | 1 |
| Ian Bolas · Director | HebNet CIC | 1 |
| Jonathan Freeman · Chief Strategy & Regulatory officer | Cellnex UK | 1 |
| Lorna Scott · Senior Policy Manager, Climate, Land and Business | NFU Scotland | 1 |
| Mhari McLeman · Shetland resident | n/a | 1 |
| Mrs Anna Gardiner · Senior Policy Adviser (Business & Property) | Scottish Land & Estates | 1 |
| Neil Smith · Chief Operating Officer | TalkTalk | 1 |
| Páll Højgaard Vesturbú · Managing Director | Faroese Telecom | 1 |
| Rhoda Meek · Head of Communications and Gaelic | Tiree Community Development Trust | 1 |
| Robert Thorburn · Partnership Director, Scotland & Cumbria | Openreach | 1 |
| Simon Miller · Director of Public Affairs and Regional Affairs | Virgin Media O2 | 1 |
Correspondence
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