Scotland’s Highland Council has launched a £70m two-year investment programme to deliver broadband connections to its rural areas.

The Highlands and Islands Pathfinder project will provide broadband internet access to 850 public buildings including schools, local government and health services.

Vendor Thus has been awarded the contract to run Pathfinder.

The launch of the South of Scotland broadband Pathfinder project in November 2006 to provide high-capacity connections to schools, libraries and council

offices was also awarded to Thus in a deal worth up to £32m.

The installation will provide broadband to Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders across 410 sites, including 201 educational institutions and is due for completion in 2008.