High-speed broadband has been delivered to the Isle of Skye as part of a test that could improve connections in rural areas.

According to the BBC, the universities of Edinburgh and the Highlands and Islands developed a broadband system that they claim provides faster access than in many city areas.

Consisting of a ring of wireless relays connected to an existing internet hub, the network currently provides broadband coverage over 40km of the Sleet and Loch Hourn coastline.

With community-driven networks and government funding, the scientists also suggested that fast internet access could be rolled out across the whole of Scotland.

Edinburgh University's Professor Peter Buneman said: "Access to the internet is fast becoming a basic utility in cities, but in rural areas it is often unavailable.

"Broadband speed is doubly important in remote areas where radio, TV and telephones may not work well. Our study shows how high-speed access can be made available to remote areas."

Recently, a spokesperson for the Scottish government's Enabling Technologies Unit suggested that plans for investment only currently extend as far as the provision of "basic broadband" (512Kb), which was recently completed.