Digital Scotland superfast broadband reaches new heights
Digital Scotland superfast broadband reaches new heights
The Moray village of Tomintoul is set to become the highest community in Scotland to be connected to high-speed fibre broadband.
The 18th century village, sitting at 345 metres (1,132 feet), is among 43 places announced today as the next to benefit from the £410m Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband partnership.
The picturesque village’s fibre cabinet will be among the first in the Cairngorms National Park when it is installed later this year by engineers from Openreach, BT’s local network business.
The first connections are expected to go live during summer 2015, bringing speeds of up to 80Mbps*. Aviemore and Grantown, which fall within the boundaries of the national park, are also included in the rollout for the first time.
John Swinney, Deputy First Minister, said: “We are seeing growing momentum in the roll-out of better broadband. The project is developing a high speed fibre network which is changing the face of broadband and helping fulfil the Scottish Government’s commitment to deliver world class connectivity in Scotland by 2020.
“Access to high speed internet services will provide an online boost for the National Park area. It’s perfectly placed to benefit from new commerce, tourism and wildlife-related opportunities, in addition to the everyday benefits for local homes and businesses.”
Duncan Bryden, Convener of the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) said: “We are highly delighted to hear that Tomintoul, Aviemore and Grantown are set to benefit from high speed fibre broadband. Access to good communications infrastructure allows our visitors to access information easier and our businesses to operate more effectively.
“Improved connectivity in the Park is a long term goal of the CNPA and 2015 is set to be a big year, we look forward eagerly to other communities in CNP receiving similar benefits in the near future.”
The Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme aims to provide fibre broadband infrastructure to areas not covered by the private sector’s commercial deployment. Combined with commercial roll-out plans, around 85 per cent of premises in Scotland will have access to fibre broadband by the end of 2015/16 and 95 per cent by the end of 2017/18.
The initiative consists of two projects – one covering the Highlands and Islands and the other covering the Rest of Scotland. The Cairngorm area is part of the former programme, which is led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
Stuart Robertson, Director of Digital Highlands and Islands at HIE, said: “Bringing the project to Tomintoul is literally a high point in the project. Work has already started in the village and it’s great to see fibre based broadband heading here alongside communities in Aviemore and Grantown.
“The roll-out will reach more than four out of five premises across the Highlands and Islands by the end of 2016. It provides easier access to the wide range of opportunities broadband offers – including access to online services, learning, and more efficient ways of working.”
Openreach and the Scottish National Parks authorities have agreed to work together to make sure that fibre and other high-speed technologies are rolled out in ways that protect and enhance the special qualities of Scotland’s finest landscapes.
They have also pledged to explore opportunities to deploy innovative technologies to maximise high-speed coverage while working to conserve the environment.
BT Scotland director Brendan Dick said: “Bringing fibre broadband to our more remote and rural communities is what this project is all about. Tomintoul, in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, is exactly the kind of place that stands to gain most from modern technology, but also exemplifies the challenges of building infrastructure in Scotland’s unique geography.
“Tourism, agriculture and other rural business sectors are vital to the local economy and I’m certain the arrival of fibre broadband will be completely transformational. As the roll-out continues to expand across the Cairngorms National Park, it will play a significant part in the area’s sustainable economic and social development, and we’re committed to delivering it in ways that protect the unique environmental and scenic qualities.”
Openreach will work closely with the Cairngorms National Park Authority in a number of ways, for instance to make sure that poles and street cabinets are appropriately sited and draw on expert advice and local knowledge about areas that are especially sensitive or where burying cable underground or using existing infrastructure might be appropriate.
Digital Scotland funding partners include the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the UK Government through Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), local authorities and the European Regional Development Fund.BT is investing £126 million in the partnership programme, in addition to its £2.5bn UK commercial rollout.
UK Government Communications Minister Ed Vaizey said: “We are transforming the digital landscape of Scotland and I’m delighted that homes and businesses in Tomintoul are among the next to benefit in our nationwide rollout of superfast broadband.
“A faster and more reliable service will provide a huge boost to Tomintoul’s economy and forms a key part of the Government’s long term economic plan.”
Fibre broadband enables multiple users in a home or business to access the internet, download and share large files at the same time and more quickly than ever before.
Locations will be announced quarterly for the life of the projects as the fibre network rolls out across Scotland. Anyone interested in the roll-out can keep up to date and get more detail at www.digitalscotland.org
Alert
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Relevant alerts
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Update - 21:55
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have shared that emergency services continue to tackle a large-scale wildfire covering more than two kilometres in width near to Glenmore.
A number of homes and businesses, including campsites and ski resorts within the Glenmore Forest Park area, have been closed and evacuated as a safety precaution due to the close proximity to the incident.
As of 9pm on Wednesday night (15 July), Scottish Fire and Rescue Service currently has six fire appliances, a wildfire unit, specialist resources and tactical commanders mobilised to the scene after the alarm was raised just before 12 noon earlier today.
Firefighters are working with landowners to contain the incident and create fire breaks, with high winds causing the fire to spread across areas of trees and woodland. There are no reported casualties.
Road closures continue to be in place to support the emergency response, and people are asked to avoid the area within Glenmore Forest Park and Loch Morlich on Thursday, 16 July as this incident continues.
We will share updates as the situation develops. In the meantime, our thanks go out to the emergency services, gamekeepers, NGO and estate staff and many others from across the community who are working non-stop to get these fires under control, and providing support to those affected.
Update - 20:06
Emergency services and partners are continuing to respond to this wildfire. A number of properties and premises in the area have been evacuated as a precaution. The Ski Road is currently closed. Anyone walking in the Cairngorms should avoid the area and let family or friends know when they have returned.
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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and partners are currently in attendance at a large fire in the open near to Ryvoan Bothy within the Cairngorms National Park.
Due to large volumes of smoke travelling towards populated areas nearby, residents in Aviemore, Glenmore and the surrounding communities should keep their windows and doors closed. If you are within this area and can see or smell smoke, please follow the same advice. If you are aware of someone hiking in the area, please ask them to get themselves safely off the hill as soon as possible.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has asked that people avoid the Glenmore and Aviemore area, and remain vigilant. Our thanks go to all those engaged in active firefighting - we will post further updates when we have them.
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Very high fire risk - 15 to 20 July
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a very high wildfire warning impacting areas of the National Park on Wednesday 15 until Monday 20 July. If you are out and about in the Cairngorms National Park please observe the following guidance:
- Do not light any fire or barbecue, in line with the new fire byelaw
- Always ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and take your litter (including glass) away with you
- Enjoy the outdoors responsibly - most wildfires are caused by human activity
- Stay alert - with dry vegetation and warm weather, fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and burn intensely
- If you see a wildfire, dial 999
For further updates on wildfire risk across Scotland, visit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website. To find out more about the fire byelaw, and to see your questions answered, visit our fire byelaw page here.