THE ARRAN BANNER
There is a glimmer of hope that something is being done to tackle the huge issue of connectivity on Arran.
ConnectArran is to hold a summit next week to look at realistic options for resolving what is increasingly becoming an area of concern that undermines the aspirations and challenges the economic viability of a progressive community.
Last weekend’s paragliding accident at Catacol highlights the concern where emergency services requiring effective inter-agency communications are at a distinct disadvantage that really can make the difference between life and death.
The fiasco of the Arran Medical Group being without communications for four days is further evidence that something urgently needs to be done. Sooner rather than later.
Businesses and medical facilities and government department are only too aware of the limitations and the impact that sub-standard service delivery has for local business and industry on Arran. So why has the government and the powers that be, failed to reach their own targets and why have they failed the residents of Arran so miserably?
It all boils down to cost. The outlay for communications infrastructure and internet connectivity is horrendously expensive to replace and while there may be the political will to overcome this issue, the reality is that this does not always equate to financial ability.
The £410 million rollout of stage two of the Digital Scotland upgrade, that Arran will play no part in, will bring further increases in speed to those that already have superior services to Arran, but even this incremental upgrade only reaches 73,000 homes and business at a time. It is this hurdle that must be overcome and it is the driving force of a determined group that will bring representatives of SSE, Microsoft, Strathclyde University and the exciting Centre for White Space Communications together to look at viable ways of improving connectivity on Arran through innovative and groundbreaking technologies to alleviate these pressing issues.
The initiative to get these large and influential players onboard in their David and Goliath quest to ensure that Arran remains competitive, able and progressive, is to be applauded, encouraged and supported.