BT has completed the build phase of its upgrade to Scotland's public sector network, delivering improved connectivity to more than 5,000 sites across the country. The work forms part of the Scottish Wide Area Network, known as SWAN, which links hospitals, GP surgeries, pharmacies, schools, libraries, transport hubs and local government offices from Dumfries in the south to the Shetland Islands in the north.

Ahead of schedule, BT says

BT says the programme was delivered ahead of schedule and describes it as one of the largest public sector network transformation programmes in the United Kingdom. The company was appointed under a SWAN contract awarded by NHS National Services Scotland, now Public Services Delivery Scotland, in 2023. The contract is worth up to £350 million over six years and is intended to future-proof connectivity, including in some of Scotland's most rural areas.

What the upgrade is for

The upgrade is designed to support faster, more secure and more resilient services, helping public sector teams share information and use tools such as virtual healthcare and remote diagnostics. BT says the past 12 months included some of the most technically demanding stages, including major fibre builds and the transfer of live critical services.

One figure to read carefully

Earlier announcements referred to more than 6,000 sites, while the latest announcement refers to more than 5,000 upgraded sites. Industry coverage reports that the 5,000 figure reflects upgrades to existing sites, with around 1,000 further sites to be reached through expansions.

Sources: BT Newsroom, BT transforms Scotland's public sector connectivity, 2 November 2026; ISPreview, BT completes £350m upgrade of Scotland Wide Area Network to 5,000 sites, 2 November 2026.