The network combines fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) technology that sees fibre optic cables laid to street cabinets and traditional copper cables to connect homes and premises to the street cabinets, as well as fibre to the premises (FTTP) that continue the fibre link from the street cabinets to the premises.

"Superfast broadband will be welcomed by families throughout these 34 areas because it will help improve their quality of life and leisure and open new doors through online learning and fast access to information and services. And it's also going to provide a huge fillip for businesses," said director of BT Scotland, Brendan Dick.

"At a stroke, small and medium-sized firms will have access to big-business speeds at much lower costs, allowing them to find new markets, boost their competitiveness and create new jobs."

BT's news comes after the government revealed plans to invest £100m to create a number of 'super-connected' cities in the UK where residents and firms can access speeds of between 80 and 100Mbps.

Two tier broadband
The Urban Broadband Fund was announced by Chancellor George Osborne last month. Edinburgh, London, Belfast and Cardiff will be joined by six other cities, which will be revealed in next year's budget, in receiving a share of the £100m funding made available over the next three years.

MSP Rhoda Grant however sees the Urban Broadband Fund  as a Westminster diversion of £100m to funding superfast broadband projects in up to ten cities.  

She notes these are already well served by commercial ISPs,  many in the Highlands & Islands battle with inadequate services at best, or no broadband service at all.