Map of Scotland's fibre optic network

The attached map illustrates a simplified view of the telecommunication fibre backbone across Scotland.

These are the primary connections that form a backbone communications network based on fibre optic technology. This backbone network is complemented in many more rural areas of Scotland by high-speed microwave radio connections which are not shown on this map.

Key Points of Presence (PoPs) are shown on the map, and are labelled in Scotland’s larger cities. These PoPs enable connectivity to the backbone network and provide interconnections between network service providers.

Not shown on the map to allow for clarity is the local access infrastructure which comprises a number of different technologies including fibre and copper cables and the smaller PoPs and Telephone Exchanges that provide connectivity for customers to the backbone infrastructure.

The information used to produce this map was gathered from a number of sources and includes information from many of the telecom service providers including BT, Cable & Wireless, Virgin Media, SSE Telecoms and many others.

International connectivity is also provided by Farice, Faroese Telecom, Hibernia Atlantic and a number of other submarine cable providers.

Each service provider will deploy their own infrastructure, with many providers providing connectivity between the same cities and having their own PoPs within the city or town.

Service provides will often share their infrastructure with other providers where they may not have their own infrastructure.

Find out more about Scotland's data centres