Broadband for the Future aims to provide improved broadband to areas which will not be served by the new BT fibre roll-out in 2016 (95% of the country will benefit from this, Coigach is in the unlucky 5% who won’t). The Scottish Government is committed to providing high speed broadband to the entire country by 2020. Ullapool and Lochinver will get upgraded broadband in 2016 through the BT roll-out, however there are currently no plans to upgrade Coigach and other outlying areas.
Ullapool Community Trust and Coigach Community Development Company are currently working with Community Broadband Scotland (CBS) to identify and install an alternative solution to these areas.
We have secured funding for stage 1 which requires us to identify the need for faster broadband in our areas to source potential project partners and funders. In order to access the current situation with broadband provisions can please ask that you complete and return the attached questionnaire.
And although primarily aimed at residents, it would be very interesting to hear the views of potential residents or visitors to the area. Does broadband service affect your decision come here on holiday, set up business or live in Coigach? Would you come more often if high speed broadband was available? Do you know any young people who will not go anywhere offline?
For more information please see the full page: Broadband for the Future
Click here for the questionnaire
Community Broadband Questionnaire
Completed questionnaires can be emailed/posted/handed in to
Lee Heaney, Ullapool Community Trust lee@ullapoolcommunity.org
Village Hall, Ullapool IV26 2XE
or
Julia Campbell, CCDC info@coigachcommunity.org.uk
Coigach Community Hall, Achiltibuie IV26 2YG
Computer Weekly’s 2013 article – two year’s old but worth a read – and we like the accompanying cartoon:
