30% of the Western Isles to lose out on next generation broadband 25/6/13
A new subsea cable bringing improved broadband services to the Western Isles is due
to be laid across the Minch next summer.
The cable loop would run from Ullapool to Stornoway, down through Lewis, Harris and
North Uist, to Benbecula and then across to the mainland. There will also be a fibre
link to Barra.
The Connected Communities network across the Western Isles is expected to be switched
off in 2016 when the next generation broadband come on stream for islanders.
A £127 million contract awarded to British Telecommunications aims to replace existing
systems for residential broadband so a substantial area of the Western Isles is due
to have access to the new services in three years.
According to a council report, it means the end of the line for Connected Communities
because it would cost around £1 million to extend its the life - of a price which
is considered excessive just to maintain existing levels of service.
Connected Communities would also lose income from public sector users moving onto
the new national system.
Most of the current 1,900 or so Connected Communities home and business users will
take up next generation broadband under a normal commercial telcoms service arrangement.
The report says at least 70% of the Western Isles is expected to have access to the
new broadband infrastructure.
The remaining 30% will have to seek improved service through alternative channels.
Those who fall through the net may have to rely on the hope of getting online via
satellite connections, with the installation costs possibly subsidised by HIE, suggests
the report.
There is also the possibility of emerging technologies currently being researched
which are expected to cost less than Connected Communities and to provide a much
faster service.
Alternatively, though apparently less likely, users may be allowed on the new public
sector infrastructure.