BROADBAND speeds and mobile phone coverage are set to improve in Helensburgh and Lomond as the area speeds up for the digital age, says a new report.

The report says work has commenced on a number of programmes which will aim to improve the digital infrastructure across Argyll and Bute.

In a report to the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, which meets tomorrow afternoon, members will be told how efforts are continuing to provide the area with the best possible coverage.

The report, from the local authority's Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Pippa Milne, highlights several ongoing programmes aimed at keeping Helensburgh and Lomond connected.

The report states: "Next generation broadband within Helensburgh and Lomond is being delivered through one of three programmes- the commercial programme by BT (parts of Helensburgh), The Rest of Scotland project and Community Broadband Scotland supported community projects.

"Work continues on building the new infrastructure network to support next generation broadband."

However, the report also states that "only a handful" of local telephone exchanges will be equipped to deal with the next generation of broadband which will eventually come on stream.

It states: "Whilst telephone exchanges will continue to provide a service in relation to telephone calls, only a handful of exchanges will handle next generation broadband services."

The report also highlights some problems in the Helensburgh and Lomond area in relation to the improvement work, saying: "Unfortunately during 2015 and early 2016 we saw few new connections within the Helensburgh and Lomond area, although work continues across the area to extend the fibre services to as many premises as possible within the budget of the project."

Cardross exchange area was the first area to receive connections through the Rest of Scotland programme in October 2014.

And during 2015 works have continued to extend the coverage.

It's expected that Arrochar, Clynder, Garelochhead, Helensburgh, Kilcreggan and Rhu exchange areas should see coverage improve during 2016, although this may be subject to change depending on onsite conditions.

Separate to the rollout of fibre broadband BT have upgraded the Helensburgh exchange so that the maximum speed customers on a non-fibre broadband service will receive is now 20mbps.

The rollout of fibre broadband will continue in the town but this upgrade should provide more speed of those who are not yet able to get a fibre broadband service.

To finance the scheme, funding will be allocated from Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) and the Scottish Government which will provide a further £42m to extend the rollout into phase two.

However, it's not yet been confirmed as to how the additional funds will be allocated or the implications it could have for coverage in Argyll or the Helensburgh or Lomond area.