Lochaber to benefit from broadband investment
Public sector and businesses in and around Fort William are now equipped to deliver next generation connectivity thanks to multi-agency investment into digital infrastructure.
Highland Council and partners within the Highlands, UK Government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport, Capita and CityFibre announced the completion of a four-year project across Inverness, Fort William, Thurso and Wick last week as part of the Building Digital UK (BDUK) Local Full Fibre Networks (LFFN) programme.
Following the UK Government’s £4.3 million investment, Highland public sector partners contributed the remainder of the capital funding to the total £7.7m costs for the network infrastructure.
It has now delivered a gigabit speed fibre optic broadband network which will connect 152 public sector sites (schools, university campuses, Highland Council and NHS Highland) in the geographically challenging Highlands of Scotland.
The announcement marks the initial stage of moves to expand the footprint of gigabit full fibre digital infrastructure to other parts of Highland. Highland Council is working closely with both governments to identify early opportunities for the region, and where the digital infrastructure funding provided by the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal might further improve coverage.
Chairman of Highland Council’s Strategic Communities and Place Committee, Councillor Allan Henderson, said: ‘The conclusion of this phase of digital network infrastructure will ensure that Highland will be at the forefront of the digital opportunities, rather than being led.
‘The delivery of full fibre will introduce the capacity to look at new ways of delivering education, health services, commercial and council services to all of the Highlands. This will improve the quality of services, reduce wait times and reduce costs for partners and the people of the Highlands.’
The fibre optic upgrade is being supported by a collaboration between Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Natural Heritage, NHS Highland, the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and the Department of Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) using the LFFN Public Sector Anchor Tenancy framework.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise provided funding to secure additional benefits for the whole of Fort William by providing a connection to Banavie Primary School which provided an opportunity to support businesses in Banavie and Corpach. It also ensured the fibre optic link could be bridged across the canal to Lochaber High School, which was a challenging task.