EXTENDING superfast broadband to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland is potentially the UK's most complex broadband project ever, according to the local enterprise body as it emerged the region is one of four in the UK likely to miss Government targets for 90% population coverage.

A National Audit Office report found that just nine of 44 rural areas would reach targets for high-speed internet by 2015, and four areas, including the Highlands and Islands, are likely to miss a revised 2017 target.

A spokeswoman for Highlands and Islands Enterprise said: "The engineering work to roll out Next Generation Broadband across our region is potentially the UK's most complex broadband project ever. BT is to lay more than 800 kilometres of fibre cable on land, and 400km more via sub-sea crossings to the area's islands."

More than £100 million was allocated to roll-out new generation broadband across Scotland on a model that was meant to ensure 90% of the population has access.

The HIE spokeswoman said: "Fibre-based broadband is expected to reach 84% of the region's premises by the end of 2016. HIE will be looking for ways to ensure that coverage is increased by the end of 2017."

Corin Taylor, from the Institute of Directors, said: "Poor internet connections are holding back rural businesses."