Summit to help get Arran connected

A major summit is to be held this week in a bid to try to find ways to improve the poor internet links on the island.

ConnectArran is holding an open drop-in meeting to look at realistic options for improving connectivity for the island on Wednesday, September 30

The summit is being held in the Arran Outdoor Education Centre in Lamlash from 9.45am to 5.30pm with free online registration now open.

This one-day summit will bring together community representatives, hi-tech experts and policymakers to discuss improving broadband connectivity on the island and to galvanise support for an action plan.

Sponsored by SSE, the summit will consist of two workshops, focussing on the business issues in the morning and on social and educational issues in the afternoon.

Visiting speakers will include representatives of Microsoft, the University of Strathclyde and the Centre for White Space Communications.

ConnectArran spokeswoman Samantha Payn said: ‘It is an excellent opportunity to get up-to-date with connectivity developments and to discuss proposals for how these new technologies could improve connectivity on the Isle of Arran. Securing good broadband connectivity has become essential to sustaining communities.

‘This is no less relevant on Arran where businesses increasingly depend on internet-based services to help them remain competitive and viable.

Samantha continued: ‘Public services are also increasingly dependent on broadband to enable them to deliver a consistent standard in the face of stretched budgets.

‘Broadband connectivity is extremely poor in many places around Arran. This summit seeks to address that in a practical and realistic manner. We realise that it might be difficult for some to commit in advance, however it would be helpful to estab- lish an indication of numbers - registration is free and there are two workshops (10am till 1pm and 2pm to 5pm) and so we hope that this will be accessible to as many residents, businesses and other individuals as possible,’ she added.

The meeting is open to all who are interested in supporting improvements in connectivity for the people who live on, work in and visit Arran.

For more information contact Samantha Payn on 01770 820655.

Full details are available on the link below: http://www. arranresilience. org. uk/ connectarran/ Or register directly at: https://connectarran. eventbrite.co.uk/