From: Nick Scroggie [email address]
Sent: 13 January 2017 14:23
To: C E Macfarlane [email address]
Cc: Gail Ross [email address], Paul Monaghan [email address], Jeff Norrie [email address], Karl Rosie [email address], Stuart Robertson [email address], Hidigital [email address]
Subject: RE: FTTC At Lairg Exchange, but not Shinness

Dear Mr Macfarlane,

I have had some time to review your situation and read over 
the work that you have done. Thank you for this, it was an 
interesting read. We do understand your disappointment - we 
know that everyone wants good broadband and your area is no exception.

To give you a bit of background to our project we have been 
charged by both the UK and Scottish Governments to reach as 
many premises as we can, as quickly as we can, within the 
budget that we currently have. This project is about 
upgrading as many premises as we can onto the new future 
proofed fibre network. Without this project only 21% of 
premises in the Highlands and Islands would have been able to 
access 'Next Generation Broadband' (NGB) services, none of 
which would have been further north than Dingwall. This 
project will take NGB to 84% of premises in the Highlands and 
Islands, a figure which is set to rise as the programme is 
going to go further than initially expected and, with a 
higher than expected uptake of services, we are also able to 
claw money back from BT for reinvestment.

To put some context into your own personal situation our 
current plans for Lairg are to stand 4 new fibre cabinets 
that will connect over 345 premises to the new network.  
Whilst I can't comment on your plan, other than it looks 
logical, it does still require 3 cabinets to connect around 
60 premises plus fibre laid from the nearest access point. 
The fact that the Lairg Exchange area will be connected does 
of course mean that the fibre network will be much closer to 
Shinness and so it will be easier and more financially viable 
to bring in premises from here at some future point.

Recently, the Scottish Government made a commitment to reach 
100% of premises in Scotland with superfast broadband by 
2021. We, as part of the Digital Scotland Superfast team, 
don't yet fully know how this will be delivered, but we do 
expect it to be with a mix of technologies and projects. 
Currently there is what is known as an Open Market Review 
being undertaken - this will identify all the individual 
premises in Scotland that currently don't get a superfast 
broadband service and then from this a full procurement 
exercise can be conducted with work expected to start in 
2018. As you are unable to receive a superfast service then 
your area will be included in this review and some way found 
to take you above 30 Mbps by 2021.

Meantime, there are a number of other possibilities;

(1) For communities who are keen to improve broadband 
services themselves, the Scottish Government has established 
Community Broadband Scotland to provide advice and guidance 
on developing local broadband projects. The CBS website is at 
www.communitybroadbandscotland.org.uk

(2) If private funding is available, then your community 
could also look at a 'Community Fibre Partnership' with BT - 
details on this are here http://www.communityfibre.bt.com/

(3) Some members of your community may be able to benefit 
from the 'Better Broadband Scheme', which is intended for 
properties that are unable to get broadband download speeds 
over 2Mbps through mainstream broadband providers.

If eligible for funding a voucher for £350 may be provided 
towards the cost of installation of a service (normally 
satellite or, where available, wireless) and the householder 
will pay the cost of the equipment plus connection and 
monthly charges. You can apply for this Scheme now via the 
Digital Scotland website here
https://www.scotlandsuperfast.com/where-when/the-programme/alternative-solutions/

I am sorry I can't give you any better news, but I hope I 
have at least explained your situation and given you some 
further options to explore.

Please keep an eye on our website 
(http://www.hie.co.uk/whereandwhen ) for updates, and more 
information on this programme as well as future programmes.

Kind regards

Nick Scroggie
Next Generation Broadband - Project Compliance Manager
The Digital Team

Highlands and Islands Enterprise | Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd 's nan Eilean
An Lochran, 10 Inverness Campus, Inverness, IV2 5NA

www.hie.co.uk