Cal Mac ferry wi-fi

Caledonian MacBrayne progresses free public access wi-fi

31 May 2016

Almost half of the 200-mile long Caledonian MacBrayne network is now live with free public access wi-fi with the remainder due to be completed by early July.

In total, 88 vessels and land-based locations will be switched on.

► Dates for Western Isles ferries wi-fi rollout

The first vessel to go live was MV Bute on the Wemyss Bay to Rothesay route in February last year, with Rothesay becoming the first port to benefit.

The programme has gathered rapid pace in the last two months and, by the time installation is complete, there will be wifi available in four offices, 31 vessels and 50 ports, harbours and slipways.

Project manager, Jim McKillop, said: "We are now almost halfway through the rollout programme for CalMac public access wi-fi. Already we have had some great feedback from communities involved and we are committed to rollout completion by early July.

“I’d like to thank everyone for their patience throughout this project – we’re under no illusion about the frustration with some of the delays which have occurred. But we are confident that the service which is being put in place is something which will be of significant benefit to communities and visitors alike.”

However, the wi-fi signal will break-up on some longer routes which may require other technologies in due course to overcome the issue.

These are typically voyages across longer lengths of open water out of range from terrestrial transmitters. For example, MV Isle of Lewis will lose its connection from north of Mull until it nears Castlebay.

Cal Mac said the project has overcome significant hurdles during planning, testing and installation. CalMac’s supplier was chosen as a world leader in wifi installation in remote areas, with expertise including wi-fi provision for British Armed Forces in Afghanistan. But it has taken longer than anticipated in many areas to surmount some of the challenges presented by Scotland’s west coast geography and current transmitter infrastructure.

► Dates for Western Isles ferries wi-fi rollout