Two businesses with strong Scottish Borders roots are proving what can be achieved when local expertise, innovation and investment come together.
Emtelle and GoFibre operate at different but complementary parts of the full-fibre journey. Together, they are helping to build the digital infrastructure that homes, businesses and communities across the Scottish Borders increasingly rely on.
Headquartered in Hawick, with a major presence in Jedburgh, Emtelle is a global manufacturer of ducting, microduct and fibre-optic network solutions. Its products provide the physical infrastructure that protects, carries and connects fibre networks.
GoFibre, founded in Duns in 2017, is an independent Scottish broadband builder and provider specialising in bringing full-fibre connectivity to rural and harder-to-reach communities.
Today, more than 34,000 premises across the Scottish Borders are ready to connect to GoFibre's network, with further communities set to benefit as the rollout continues.
A partnership with Borders roots
GoFibre was founded with the ambition of improving connectivity in communities that have too often found themselves on the wrong side of the digital divide.
Emtelle's history in the Borders stretches back much further. Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Hawick, the company has grown into a global leader in blown fibre, ducted network and microduct solutions.
The relationship between the two businesses became particularly visible in 2023 when GoFibre began work on its full-fibre network in Hawick.
Emtelle manufactured and supplied the duct, sub-duct and fibre infrastructure required for the network – meaning some of the physical infrastructure being installed to improve connectivity in the Borders was being supplied by a business with its own major presence in the region.
Gavin Faulds, Chief Commercial Officer at Emtelle, said:
“Emtelle has long been a major employer in the Scottish Borders, but there is something equally rewarding about using our local, world-class workforce to provide our ground-breaking solutions to connect homes and businesses here in our own communities."
“That is why we were delighted to begin partnering with GoFibre. It shows what can be achieved when local knowledge, manufacturing and innovation come together.”
Taking full fibre across the Scottish Borders
The partnership has since become part of a much wider transformation in digital connectivity.
GoFibre's full-fibre rollout has reached communities including Innerleithen, Eyemouth, Chirnside, Denholm, Galashiels, Coldingham, Ancrum, Lauder and Kelso, with further premises in Galashiels, Selkirk and St Boswells due to be added.
Part of this expansion is being delivered through Project Gigabit, the UK Government programme designed to bring gigabit-capable broadband to harder-to-reach communities, with the Scottish Government administering and managing delivery of the contracts in Scotland.
Around 20,000 homes and businesses overall are expected to be added to GoFibre's network through the Project Gigabit rollout, combining premises supported by government funding with additional properties being connected commercially.
For a predominantly rural region such as the Scottish Borders, improved digital connectivity can make a significant difference.
Reliable full fibre can support home working, education and everyday digital services. For businesses, it can enable cloud-based technology, video conferencing, ecommerce, large data transfers and better collaboration with customers, suppliers and colleagues beyond the region.
Local expertise supporting future growth
One of the strengths of the partnership is that it extends beyond simply installing broadband.
Working with Emtelle gives GoFibre access to ducting, microduct and fibre solutions designed for long-term performance and scalability.
That includes Emtelle's ‘OneDig’ approach, which creates underground pathways capable of accommodating additional fibre as demand increases. This can allow network capacity to expand without repeatedly excavating roads and footpaths.
Andy Hepburn, GoFibre's Chief Operating Officer, said:
“Working with Emtelle has given us the benefit of world-class fibre infrastructure expertise right here on our doorstep."
“As our network has grown across the region, that partnership has supported us in delivering at pace and bringing reliable full-fibre connectivity to thousands more homes and businesses."
“But there is something particularly positive about two businesses with such strong Borders connections working together to improve the infrastructure available to local communities.”
Award-winning Borders businesses
Both businesses have also recently been recognised for their achievements.
At the Scottish Borders Business Excellence Awards 2026, Emtelle won the Innovation in Business Award and was Highly Commended in the Manufacturing Business of the Year category.
GoFibre won the High Growth Business Award for the second consecutive year, following its 2025 success.
Their recognition reflects two different areas of expertise, but also demonstrates the scale of innovation and ambition being generated by businesses with connections to the Scottish Borders.
Giving back to local communities
Both businesses' commitment to the region extends beyond their commercial activities.
Emtelle has supported Hawick Common Riding, grassroots sport and the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, as well as environmental initiatives including River Teviot clean-ups and tree planting around its Jedburgh site with local schools.
It has also provided materials to Borders Scrap Store for reuse and made its facilities available to the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service for training.
GoFibre's social impact work includes its GoFurther Fund, which supports grassroots charitable and community organisations in areas covered by its network. In June 2026, four Scottish Borders charities each received £3,000 grants from the fund. GoFibre is also the main sponsor of youth rugby at Melrose Rugby Club.
Building the foundations for the future
The impact of the Emtelle and GoFibre partnership goes beyond faster broadband.
Investment in digital infrastructure supports businesses, employment, skills and the regional supply chain, while helping ensure some of the economic value generated by major infrastructure projects remains within the Scottish Borders.
It is also an example of what can happen when businesses with strong regional roots combine their expertise.
From manufacturing world-class fibre infrastructure in the Borders to connecting rural homes and businesses, Emtelle and GoFibre are helping create the foundations for a better-connected Scottish Borders – both now and for the future.
