A recent survey from bOnline has shown that many SMEs are unsure about the availability of altnet in their area, with confusion over the UK’s broadband roll-out strategy.
Tue, 2/01/2024 - 10:36
The first businesses on Fair Isle, off Scotland’s north coast, have been connected to full fibre.
Openreach has leveraged a subsea cable that stretches 68 miles from the Shetland to Orkney Islands, with Fair Isle reached by a spur line.
Openreach Chief Engineer for Scotland Fraser Rowberry said: “Regular fibre signals just couldn’t go the distance, so we had to get creative to transmit ultrafast broadband over 100 kilometres to islanders.
“We had to do everything differently on Fair Isle, from planning around bird nesting seasons to setting up flat-packed cabins for our crew.
The project was funded through the Scottish Government’s £404.1m Reaching 100% (R100) North contract, plus £17.4m from the UK Government.
Wellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray added: “We have achieved digital connectivity for Fair Isle almost two years earlier than planned.
“Through our R100 commitment to tackle some of the hardest-to-access terrain in the country, we are improving the educational and life opportunities available to young people across Scotland.”
