The government is aware of the importance of giving people access to the internet, it has been claimed.
A body representing broadband providers has said it welcomes any government plans to get areas without access to the internet online.Spokesperson for the Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA) George White claimed the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition is aware of the importance of giving people access to broadband.
"In a small minority of areas where the market may not deliver, ISPA would welcome government efforts to ensure that no one is digitally excluded," Mr White remarked.
His comments come after 3 Mobile unveiled plans to invest almost £40 million on improving its mobile broadband coverage in Scotland.
Chief executive of the network operator Kevin Russell told the Scotsman some calculations have shown that as many as 60 per cent of people north of the border do not access the internet.
It will more than double its number of Scottish mobile broadband masts in order to boost its signal, he revealed.
Mr White described Scotland's broadband market as "competitive" and said take up of the technology is increasing.