High-speed broadband rolled out across area
More than 3,400 homes and businesses in the Eastern Villages of Stirling now have state-of-the-art broadband following the completion of a major network programme.
Ultrafast broadband, capable of speeds of up to 2Gbps, has been installed in Cowie, Fallin and Plean as part of the Eastern Villages Full Fibre network project, with the final phase completed this week, linking Throsk and Bandeath Business Park.
The eight-month programme was led by Lothian Broadband Networks, with Stirling Council contributing £100,000 of the £5million cost through its Rural Broadband Infrastructure Programme. Other funding support came from the Scottish Government, Scottish National Investment Bank and Building Digital UK.
Stirling Council leader Chris Kane, said:“residents in the Eastern Villages and surrounding areas have been ready to take advantage of the transformational potential of full fibre broadband for some time, but have been held back by logistical and technological challenges.
“I’m delighted that Stirling Council has worked with partners, including Lothian Broadband Networks, on this innovative solution that will allow people to access an ultrafast, reliable gigabit broadband service.
“Not only will this project help to boost connectivity, but it also has the potential to fuel economic growth and create new jobs in the area.
“A social tariff package will also ensure nobody is excluded from faster broadband on the basis of cost.”
Gavin Rodgers, CEO of Lothian Broadband Networks said:“it has been wonderful to be able to expand our ultrafast broadband network into Stirling’s Eastern Villages.”
Private investment in recent years has combined to create a city-wide full fibre network which now covers the vast majority of premises in Stirling City and Bridge of Allan.
But while that network, completed in August 2020, resulted in more than 19,000 premises being able to access a full-fibre gigabit service, the coverage area did not extend to the Easternvillages.
Research by Stirling Council identified around 2,500 premises in the Eastern Villages had access to a basic broadband service, making the upgrade to gigabit speeds impossible. Discussions with major telecom infrastructure providers indicated it unlikely the infrastructure would be upgraded to fibre within three years in the Eastern Villages area and the area also did not appear to meet the criteria for other schemes. But in March last year, funding was approved in the council’s budget to assist in developing a solution.