Superfast picks up the speed at last

POTENTIAL BT customers in Oban and Lorn are likely to be waiting some time yet for superfast broadband services.

The roll- out of the programme was due to be finished last year, but delays have meant that the service has just started in Oban.

A BT insider told the Oban Times that the problem lay in the fact that contractors received payment from the Scottish government whenever they installed a network cabinet, which meant there was no urgency to run cables to connect residential users to the broadband network.

He said: ‘The topography of the area made it almost impossible in places to easily lay the cable.’

However, a spokesman for BT said the programme was back on track: ‘The programme is making good progress in Argyll and Bute with more than 6,000 homes and businesses now able to access next generation broadband.

‘In Oban, BT engineers have delivered, through the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, access for more than 1,100 homes and businesses. Further coverage in Oban is planned for later in the year through BT’s commercial deployment.

‘In Taynuilt, we have faced some challenges with getting the fibre to the village, and in Connel there have been discussions with the community about putting the cabinet in the best location.

‘ When we start building in specific areas, these kinds of technical problems can emerge, and it means it can take a bit longer to deliver the new networks.

‘ We’re doing our best to sort out any difficulties and we anticipate services should come through during the next six months.’

Customers can visit www.hie. co.uk/ whereandwhen to keep up to date on the roll- out.