Complaints over poor telecom connections 24/9/14
Problems in broadband and mobile phone services are badly affecting parts of the Western Isles.
Internet speeds have reduced to a low level in some areas, particularly in Stornoway.
At the same time, a major fault on a damaged land cable has seen the Vodafone signal going down, requiring a new cable to be installed.
Almost 500 people have signed an online petition set up to urge BT to repair their local network.
The petition reads: “Since June 2014, many parts of the Western Isles have suffered contention ratio problems, affecting Internet speeds in evenings and weekends.
“Sign this petition to put pressure on BT to identify that there is a problem and repair the infrastructure to previous levels. We should be getting what we pay for.”
Councillor Charlie Nicolson said: “These faults are affecting local communities.
“I have received a lot of representations from residents in the Stornoway South ward on both the BT and the Vodaphone problems.”
He added: “It is affecting both businesses and home lines -
SNP MP Angus MacNeil said: “BT broadband customers in the Western Isles are becoming increasingly frustrated about the poor broadband service they are getting.
“I will be writing today to Mr Brendan Dick, director, BT Scotland to highlight the petition which has been set up locally, calling on BT to repair the infrastructure to previous levels.
“Customers are obviously exasperated about the level of service they are receiving from BT and they must address these issues.
“Fast internet connections are essential to so many aspects of our lives and BT has a responsibility to provide an adequate level of service.”
The BT petition is available at https://www.change.org/p/bt-