Broadband dismay
A Stirling homeowner this week expressed exasperation over the lack of availability of superfast broadband in his street.
Contractors for network provider CityFibre have been digging up roads and installing infrastructure across Stirling since November 2018, and are expected to complete work next summer. Last spring the first Vodafone Gigafast high speed broadband customers linked up to the CityFibre network.
But homeowners in Nelson Place, where infrastructure work took place months ago, are currently unable to access the high speed broadband from Vodafone.
Resident Michael Glass said Vodafone told him the reason was a ‘wayleave’ legal agreement has not yet been signed by Stirling Council.
Mr Glass said: “On the exchange box outside my street there is a poster that states ‘CityFibre is here’ yet I cannot purchase the product.
“CityFibre were in my street five to six months ago digging up and installing fibre network infrastructure.
“Since then I have been waiting to purchase Vodafone Gigafast fibre broadband and make use of the infrastructure under my feet.
“I have phoned Vodafone multiple times trying to take place in Bridge of Allan, purchase their Gigafast Torbrex and St Ninians next. packages but have been told City Manager for Stirling the service is not available at CityFibre Elaine Doherty in my area yet. said this week: “We have
“They told me that the worked closely with Stirling wayleaves agreement has City Council, Forth Housing, not been signed yet to allow and Steadfast in Stirling to Vodafone engineers on the secure numerous wayleaves land to install the cabling. in the city to ensure we have
“A n d t h a t C i t y F i b r e the optimal designs for each should have sent out of our build sites. However, wayleaves agreements. invariably, there are some
“I p h o n e d C i t y F i b r e private residences where we and they told me (Stirling) have been unable to secure Council has to sign the wayleaves agreement. And that nobody in my area would be able to purchase until the council sign the wayleaves agreements.”
Mr Glass said the delay is very frustrating. He works in IT for a national energy company from home and needs to speak to colleagues across the country via Skype. Additional broadband speed would be very beneficial, he said.
He added: “As a homeowner I am willing to sign wayleave agreements for land below my feet along with my neighbours.
“It is especially frustrating that right now Vodafone has a special offer on until December 2 that customers can purchase the 500Mbps package for the price of 100Mbps. This is eight times faster than my current rate of 70Mbps.”
The full fibre work started in November 2018 and has reached Cambusbarron, Broomridge, Braehead, Bannockburn and Raploch. Work is currently underway in Riverside and is due to a wayleave before deploying our teams.
“It is because of these kinds of situations that we welcomed the proposals of the then Secretary of State several weeks ago to support the industry with barrierbusting measures that will make it easier to install faster internet connections in blocks of flats where we are repeatedly unable to reach landlords to gain access to the property.
“For residents who are in rented accommodation and would like to explore what they can do to provide CityFibre with access, they are encouraged to visit our website or contact us on 01786 236548.”
Vodafone were contacted for comment. A Stirling Council spokesman said yesterday (Tuesday) they have been in contact with Mr Glass and are working with CityFibre to resolve the issue.