BORDERERS are set for a “major broadband boost” as part of a £95 million Scottish investment by Openreach.

The digital network provider has already announced plans to upgrade 18 towns across the region, including Galashiels, Hawick, Peebles and Selkirk.

And now Chirnside, Lauder, Coldingham, Clovenfords and Stow will be upgraded following the latest announcement, with an “ultrafast, ultra-reliable” network to be built to most premises in these areas.

Robert Thorburn, partnership director for Openreach in Scotland, said: “As Scotland’s biggest fibre builder, we’re delighted to be unveiling another broadband boost for more people in the Scottish Borders.

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“Good connectivity is vital – whether it’s to work from home, access education and care services, or for gaming and streaming entertainment – and that’s why we’re investing across the UK to upgrade our network to 25 million premises.

He added: “Many rural and hard to reach communities are already benefiting and we plan to reach many more in the coming months and years.”

On the news, Scottish finance secretary Kate Forbes said that “digital connectivity is more vital than ever”.

“With Openreach’s latest commercial investment of £95 million, this will ensure more than 50 of our communities across Scotland will be able to access even faster full-fibre broadband,” she said.