A major new report revealing the challenges for deploying superfast broadband to connect the final five per cent of the country is to be presented at NextGen Expo Scotland.

The Carnegie UK Trust report Making Digital Real: Case Studies of How to Help the Final Fifth Get Online will be discussed at the show during a special superfast broadband masterclass.

The event is set to bring together digital suppliers and key decision makers to share ideas on how best to strengthen the economy through a digital future.

The importance of digital infrastructure investment to improve the lives of people nationwide has never been more important, with the UK Government recently announcing an injection of funding for high-speed Internet to 95% of the country by 2017, as well as a separate rural broadband grant for the rest of the population.

Also presenting at NextGen Expo Scotland, at the Glasgow Hilton hotel on 17 June, will be Mark Tate, Development Director at Community Broadband Scotland, who will be speaking about their latest projects on getting communities with limited or no broadband online. Avonline's Managing Director, Mark Wynn, will also be speaking on Superfast for Rural Areas.

"Being able to access superfast broadband has never been more important for homes and businesses than it is now," said Wynn. "The opportunity for stakeholders from different sectors to contribute freely at NextGen Expo Scotland means that we can all share valuable information and create real opportunities to secure the future of Digital Scotland as set out by the Government's 2020 Vision."

In partnership with ScotlandIS, the country's trade association for the ICT industry, NextGen Expo Scotland is aimed at professionals in the public, private and third sectors interested in the development, delivery and acquisition of digital products and services. The conference will exhibit the latest digital developments for both Scottish SME and global corporations.

Professionals from Scottish SMEs will also be invited to attend a further special masterclass on Scottish Procurement and the Supplier Development Program (SDP), with presentations from Caroline Caniffi, Capability Development at Scottish Procurement and Pauline Wallace, Senior Project Development Officer at Glasgow City Council and the SDP.

"The range of support and information that is on offer for businesses to utilise is extensive," commented Wallace. "Through this masterclass, local businesses will be able to learn how they can be assisted in all aspects of the tendering process and what the Supplier Development Programme can offer them in terms of free training and events."

Other masterclasses on the agenda include the hot-topics of retail e-commerce and m-commerce, and smart city developments, with Michael McLaughlan, Programme Director at Future City Glasgow giving a presentation on Glasgow Future Cities Demonstrator Programme.

"NextGen Expo Scotland will see attendees leave with fresh ideas and new hope for a clear direction in procuring network provision and digital services for a better future," said Andrew Macdonald, Director of NextGen Events Ltd. "We are gathering some of the best key decision makers and the conference is set to once again be a huge success."

NextGen Expo Scotland is free to attend for all pre-registered delegates. For more information, or to register for the event, please visit http://www.nextgenevents.co.uk/events/nextgen-expo-scotland.

NextGen Events will also be hosting NextGen14, the UK's prime showcase and platform for businesses to discuss the nation's digital development landscape, in Derby on 11 and 12 November. Registrations for this event will open in June. For more details visit http://www.nextgenevents.co.uk/events/nextgen-14-conference.