Fibre broadband availability expands across Argyll and the Isles

More than 4,000 more premises across mainland and island communities in Argyll will be amongst the next to see work start for high speed fibre broadband roll-out.

It’s expected the new services will start to become available over the next six months in communities, which include Machrihanish and Tighnabruaich on the mainland, and island communities Kilchattan Bay and Port Charlotte on Islay, Scarinish on Tiree and Tobermory.on Mull.

The villages are set to see better broadband as a result of the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) project. Every three months the project highlights the next areas where roll-out is happening and the latest list of places in Argyll is below.

Fibre broadband is now available to more than 20,000 premises in Argyll and Bute, combining both the DSSB project and BT’s commercial roll-out.

The project, led in its region by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), is bringing better broadband to thousands of homes and businesses which could not be reached by the private sector’s commercial fibre broadband programme.

Stuart Robertson, HIE’s Director of Digital, commented: “With high-speed services already coming through in some of the larger local communities like Campbeltown, Dunoon, Oban, Lochgilphead and Rothesay, it’s great to see the roll-out extend further into smaller communities too. So far across the Highlands and Islands the project has brought better broadband to more than 80 towns and villages and work is underway in almost the same number again.

“There will be more coverage for Argyll and Bute next year and we’re delighted that the network will reach more than 8 out of 10 premises by the end of 2016. As roll-out continues it’s important to stress people aren’t just upgraded. When available, if you want a fibre-based service you have to order it though an Internet Service Provider. “

A full list of areas where work is ongoing, and an interactive map to check if services are available, are online at www.hie.co.uk/whereandwhen

The coverage forms part of a three-year, £146m investment, funded by the Scottish Government, the UK Government, HIE and private sector partner BT, with engineers from BT’s local network business Openreach delivering the project on the ground.

Brendan Dick, BT Scotland director, said: “The Digital Scotland rollout has now passed more than half the homes and business premises currently included in our plans for the Highlands and Islands and it’s fantastic that our engineers are now reaching into some very small, rural communities, which have so much to gain.

“We’ll continue to work hard to maintain the great progress to date and bring fast fibre to as many people as possible, as quickly as possible.

“BT is determined to make sure that Scotland remains at the forefront of the high-speed digital revolution. We’re proud to be working hand in hand with our partners to deliver a truly Digital Scotland. Everyone can keep up to speed with the latest developments at www.hie.co.uk/whereandwhen .”

Further information is also available on Twitter @HIEdigital

Notes for editors

The list below identifies new areas where we will be building fibre infrastructure in the coming six months. Others may follow. A full list of areas where work has started or is live is available at www.hie.co.uk/whereandwhen and there is also a postcode checker where people can check their own telephone or postcode details for an idea of progress.