Completed Project Updates
Will there be another phase of upgrading to superfast broadband in Strathdearn?
Phase 1 & 2 and a possible Phase 3
Two successful projects were completed to upgrade Strathdearn broadband: Moy and around Glenmazaran/Coignafearn. An opportunity has arisen to upgrade the majority of the remaining properties in Strathdearn to the highest level – fibre to the premise (FTTP) with available speeds of up to 900mbps (depending on the level of subscription with service provider).
The Scheme
The Scottish government’s R100 (Reaching 100%) scheme was a pledge to upgrade every property in Scotland to at least 30mbps. For various reasons this was delayed until 2026 at the earliest. Generous grants were made available in the form of vouchers for rural areas as a stopgap measure. However the R100 plan for the Highlands has recently been revived and those vouchers will soon be withdrawn.
Phase 3
Openreach install the infrastructure for fibre broadband. Due to our close working relationship from previous contracts they wanted to utilise these vouchers while they are still available in our area.
SCD negotiated the inclusion of more properties to the initial plan, to upgrade the Balvraid area only, by giving assurances of a high buy-in to the scheme.
The timetable has been driven by Openreach and the R100 scheme. SCD need to get enough people to commit to the scheme before Christmas to fund an FTTP upgrade for a minimum of 135 properties entirely from these grants (with a high enough voucher uptake we may manage more in January).
Who is eligible?
SCD continue to negotiate for more properties and will publish the list shortly.
The list has been compiled based on existing speeds, postcodes, and engineering factors. It is optimised to include as many as possible of those with the worst speeds. Unfortunately a few will miss out due to the expense of deviating too far from the main cables. Equally there are some properties, mainly near the telephone exchange, which won’t be connected because they already have reasonably fast speeds.
This scheme is in addition to the upcoming R100 improvements. For those that miss this stage, chances of an upgrade in the future will be improved because of the extensive fibre cable network installed already.
What happens next?
Those on the list will receive a letter from SCD. Property owners need to apply for the broadband improvement vouchers, one per property. We will supply a webpage to complete online. If you live in a rented property, contact your landlord ASAP and urge them to act quickly.
Individual occupants of the properties must pledge to take out a contract for fibre broadband with a service provider (eg BT) for a minimum of 12 months after the service is connected.
What are the benefits?
Individual property owners won’t pay a penny as the upgrade is free! Residents get the best broadband available, the value of properties goes up and, if completed, we will be the best connected rural community in Britain!
Get in touch with us today
If you would like to get involved or chat about Strathdearn Community Developments further then fill out our contact form or give us a call.
Address: The Company Secretary, Strathdearn Community Developments Company, Strathdearn Hall, Tomatin IV13 7YN.
Phone: 01808 511700
Email: strathdearn@hotmail.co.uk