Is super-wifi the answer to Arran’s connectivity needs?
The possibility of ‘super-wifi’ for Arran was discussed at the recent Connect Arran meeting at the Arran Outdoor Centre.
The initiative, spearheaded by Samantha Payn and David Hogg, seeks to bring Arran in line with business, industry and individuals living elsewhere.
It specifically wants to address the ‘digital divide’ where rural communities are increasingly being left behind by relying on outdated technology to remain connected to the internet.
The summit, sponsored by SSE, brought together business leaders, community representatives and policymakers, many of whom have their own stories of the difficulties that they face with being disconnected for months on end or only being able to connect at speeds that modern day applications and websites find inadequate.
The intention of the sum- mit, however, was not to vent frustration on the sub-par internet speeds or the lack of investment in Arran’s infrastructure. It was a way of discussing options, communities and skills of the people on Arran and forming them into an organisation to drive forward the aim of improving connectivity.
Mrs Payn said: ‘Connect Arran is currently two people and an email address,’ belying all of the effort and accomplishments already achieved by the organisation.
She added that ‘all of the highly skilled and talented’ people of Arran should pull together their strengths and abilities, possibly in the form of a community interest company or other type of organisation, capable of driving forward the advancements required.
Assisting them in this task were representatives from Microsoft and the Centre for White Space Communications (CWSC) who provided cutting-edge solutions for Connect Arran to consider as one of the options available to them.
Physicist Andrew Stirling of Strathclyde University, who previously worked with the BBC and currently manages a consultation company, advised the meeting of the trials he has undertaken with Microsoft of what is being called ‘super wi-fi’.
Super wi-fi, like normal wifi, travels across the airwaves in what is called a spectrum or the breadth of a signal.
Within that spectrum lies all over-the-air communications from radio and TV to satellite communications and at a cer- tain frequency super wi-fi can be transmitted further than normal wi-fi.
This technology has been successfully trialled in Bute, Orkney, London and across the world in far-flung villages in Africa bringing connectivity to rural areas that previously had no connection at all.
The implications for Arran could be enormous but there are costs involved. Masts will need to be built to transmit the signal and to relay it across the island. Users will need a new device, similar to a router, to connect to the super-wifi.
Jim Beveridge of Microsoft was also in attendance, supporting his colleague in explaining some of the techni- calities of the technology and also providing an overview of connectivity in Scotland.
Those attended the conference felt that by having such a large company such as Microsoft on-board was inspiring and increased optimism that influential and powerful players are willing to assist in making this project a reality.
Anyone who would like to help Connect Arran in this community-driven project, who has useful skills and the time to spare, is urged to get in touch.
All kinds of skills are needed, from technical, to administrative and business acumen, to make this dream a reality.
Connect Arran’s facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com/ConnectArran and their email address is connectarran@gmail.com.