The contract seeks to assist premises in more rural and remote areas, including some 900 properties in East Lothian.

It follows on from an earlier UK Government contract with GoFibre to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to up to 10,700 premises across the Scottish Borders, Midlothian and East Lothian.

This delivery is all part of Project Gigabit, which targets places too difficult or expensive for providers to reach in their commercial build that would otherwise be left with older digital infrastructure.

The Openreach contract is the biggest ever signed under Project Gigabit and an important part of the UK Government’s efforts to tackle digital exclusion across the entire UK.

Project Gigabit is helping to build world-class networks across the UK, laying the foundations needed to kickstart economic growth, creating and supporting thousands of high-skilled jobs, empowering industries of all kinds to innovate and increase productivity by taking up digital technology.

Delivering on this agenda is vital because access to the internet is no longer a luxury: it is essential for the way we live, work and learn in our everyday lives.

Rolling out lightning-fast broadband to those who have not been able to access it previously will equip and inspire local businesses to thrive, enable families to access vital services and help build resilient communities.

I look forward to finding out more about the experience of the residents and businesses that are set to benefit here over the coming years.

As this week’s Courier hits newsstands, communities across the UK will be marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

I want to thank all the groups and individuals who have organised events locally for their contribution and for giving communities an opportunity to commemorate this significant milestone.