MARTIN Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, visited a Virgin Media O2 build site in Port Seton to learn about the telecom company’s gigabit broadband network expansion.

Mr Whitfield heard from the Virgin Media O2 team about network initiatives and upgrades in Scotland.

Since 2015, the company has invested about £180m to expand its network and bring ultrafast broadband to more than 330,000 Scottish homes and businesses and, following upgrade works last year, all 1.2 million premises on its network are now able to access gigabit broadband.

Mr Whitfield said: “This was a very interesting and informative visit.

“Access to ultrafast, reliable broadband and mobile networks is more important than ever for households and businesses, and companies like Virgin Media O2 are vital to delivering it.

“I was pleased to see first-hand the work the company’s engineers are undertaking on the expansion of their network and look forward to more local people being able to benefit from it.”

Colin Rae, head of build for Scotland at Virgin Media O2, said: “We’re thrilled to have Martin visit us on site, where we’re able to show him what it takes to deliver next generation connectivity to thousands of additional people in East Lothian at a time when it’s never mattered more.”