INVESTMENT in super-fast broadband could create thousands of jobs and bring millions of pounds into the Scottish economy in the next 15 years.

Investment by BT in the service has already made the technology available to more than 270,000 Scottish homes and businesses, and the company expects this to rise to around 836,000 by spring 2013.

A report by Regeneris Consulting predicts that the economy of a typical UK town could receive a £143 million boost and 225 new jobs through super-fast broadband.

Brendan Dick, director of BT Scotland, said: "BT's plans to roll out next generation broadband across Scotland are already well under way. But we want to go further and would welcome the opportunity to have an even bigger impact on the regional economy."