Dundee City Council to look into free internet access for its council tenants

Following news that North Lanarkshire Council is planning to provide free internet access to all council housing tenants - the first plan of its kind for any Scottish local authority - Dundee City Council’s Liberal Democrat Group is asking if this would be a viable option for Dundee, too. The Council has agreed to discuss the details of the North Lanarkshire Council’ plan with that local authority to see if it might be viable. 

The North Lanarkshire Council offer comes as part of a 15-year deal with telecoms firm Commsworld. Once the rollout is complete, the Digital North Lanarkshire project will extend free internet access to 36 575 homes, and is expected to help tackle digital exclusion and remove barriers to opportunities and employability.

Dundee Strathmartine Ward councillor Daniel Coleman said:

 “For many tenants on lower income, personal wi-fi can be financially out of reach and that simply creates people who are digitally excluded. Digital access is vital in the jobs market nowadays and for so many other activities in daily life.”

“The Liberal Democrat Group contacted senior housing officers to ask if they could liaise with North Lanarkshire Council to assess the viability of this for Dundee tenants and we are pleased to say they have responded positively and will be speaking with their counterparts at North Lanarkshire to discuss further.”

“We really think this could be a real positive for the council’s tenants if it proves viable.”