Independent broadband provider GoFibre is extending its full fibre network across more rural communities in North East Scotland, bringing gigabit-capable broadband to thousands of additional homes and businesses as part of the UK’s wider effort to improve digital connectivity in underserved areas.
Following the first customer connections in Edzell, Inverbervie, and Longforgan, the next phase of the rollout will reach Montrose, Dunkeld, Bankfoot, Newtonhill, Portlethen, Alyth, and Coupar Angus. Once connected, residents and businesses in these communities will have access to broadband speeds of up to 1Gbps.
The expansion forms part of the UK Government’s Project Gigabit, a nationwide programme designed to bring high-speed broadband to hard-to-reach areas that have historically been underserved by commercial network investment. In Scotland, the programme is delivered in partnership with the Scottish Government, which oversees the contracts.
GoFibre secured the North East Scotland Project Gigabit contract in 2025 to connect approximately 63,000 hard-to-reach premises. Alongside the publicly funded deployment, the company said it will expand the network commercially without public subsidy, increasing the total rollout to at least 100,000 premises across the region.
Beyond improving internet access, the project is also expected to contribute to local employment. GoFibre says the rollout will create around 30 direct construction jobs while supporting up to 180 jobs throughout the lifetime of the project through subcontractors and related services.
“The expansion reflects our commitment to improving connectivity in rural communities while creating economic opportunities during the rollout,” said Andy Hepburn, Chief Operating Officer at GoFibre.
The latest deployment also builds on GoFibre’s existing footprint, which currently covers around 15,300 premises in Angus and 9,600 premises in Aberdeenshire, as the company continues to expand its presence across Scotland and the North of England.
The rollout highlights the continued importance of alternative network providers in supporting the UK’s broadband ambitions. While major operators have concentrated much of their investment in urban areas, government-backed programmes such as Project Gigabit aim to accelerate fibre deployment where commercial incentives alone have been insufficient.
According to GoFibre, its network now covers more than 130,000 premises across Scotland and the North of England, with further expansion planned under its government-backed infrastructure programme.
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