THE first Scottish Borders Digital Forum took place on Monday - a new initiative which promotes online skills for communities in the region.

And the focus was on digital development as the group discussed how connectivity could be improved across the whole region.

The Borders has been plagued with broadband speed problems and in January, BT chief Gavin Patterson admitted “there is more to do” to roll out Openreach’s broadband service.

Borders MP Calum Kerr, who is SNP’s digital spokesperson at Westminster, convened the meeting and said he was “frustrated” at the slow development of digital infrastructure.

He said: “Improving digital connectivity is clearly a critical issue for people in the Borders so a platform like this, where we have the expertise to establish our current position, is vital to ensure we can identify and optimise the way forward.

“The forum will enable us to work together to ensure the region catches up and, where possible, gets ahead in the digital world.

“While I am frustrated with how slow the development of digital infrastructure in rural Scotland has been, I’m also excited by the potential to dramatically improve connectivity across the Borders,” he added.

“There are a number of opportunities at all levels of Government, that have the potential to put an end to the digital divide between urban and rural consumers.

“It’s really important that the approach we take is future-proofed so that we don’t set an arbitrary standard that will be superseded a few years down the line.

“We should aim to do this by replicating initiatives that have proven themselves elsewhere, such as the community fibre projects that exist in some Nordic countries and some parts of the UK. If we get this right, it will encourage people and businesses to locate in our region, which already has so much going for it with its wonderful environment and friendly people.”

This week’s session was attended by more than 60 representatives from the council, OFCOM, Digital Scotland and several community councils.

Speaking after the meeting OFCOM’s Director, Network Infrastructure, Huw Saunders said: “It’s great to see a whole region come together to work on improving connectivity. 

“As a regulator, we are determined to ensure that rural areas aren’t left behind. 

“We want to listen to local communities and share our own perspectives on the best ways to improve digital connectivity in harder to reach areas.”