Pupils have become the first in the Highlands and Islands to use a high speed broadband link installed as part of a seven-year £70m contract.
Children at Crown Primary School in Inverness spoke to First Minister Jack McConnell over the internet to mark the project's launch.
The Scottish Executive is contributing £63m towards its costs.
Schools, libraries and offices will be among 850 public buildings that will have broadband installed.
Telecoms company, THUS plc, won the contract to deliver the project.