An agreement has been reached to provide broadband to schools, libraries and council offices in the south of Scotland.

The South of Scotland Broadband Pathfinder Project has signed a £32m contract with network operator Thus to provide the connections throughout Dumries, Galloway and the Scottish Borders.

The technology, which will be installed over the next two years, will give teachers and pupils access to educational resources over the internet. It will also enable the public sector to develop new services such as the single citizen account.

David Hume, chief executive of Scottish Borders Council, said: "This project will provide a new central nervous system for the local authorities in the south of Scotland. The fast transmission of information and data across our areas will mean not only better, faster and more responsive local services, but also will ensure richer learning environments in our schools, community centres and libraries."

Philip Jones, chief executive of Dumfries and Galloway Council and Chairman of the Project Board, explained: "This is a major achievement in partnership working. This next generation broadband network will provide leading edge telecommunication technology to our schools, libraries and all major public offices, and will transform the way we work and how we deliver the highest quality services to local people."

This article was originally published at Kablenet.

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