The contract, part of the national Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) scheme, will be awarded in early December.

BBC: Superfast broadband: BT preferred supplier in counties

The Scottish government, HIE and the UK government initiative Broadband Delivery UK are helping to fund the project.

BBC: Hand on mouse and computer keyboard

The Borders Broadband is a partnership of the two county councils along with Gloucestershire First and the government's Broadband Delivery UK unit.

BBC: England

Last year the county council announced that the superfast Northamptonshire Project was only the fifth to receive the green light nationally to use the Government's Broadband Framework, managed by Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), to procure an industry partner to co-invest in the county.

BBC: Superfast broadband plan for Northamptonshire