This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Rural broadband project launched
23/06/2003
Broadband connections for rural areas are to be piloted
in Aberfoyle.
The initiative will provide local people and businesses
with high-speed access to the internet.
Deputy Enterprise Minister Lewis Macdonald launched the
ground-breaking Aberfoyle Broadband Community (ABC) project
today.
It will initially serve 25 businesses in the rural
Stirlingshire village, with more businesses and citizens
being given the opportunity to sign up at a later
stage.
The £50,000 project is the first of its kind in
Scotland, and if successful, the experience gained from
this will be used to develop similar schemes across
Scotland.
Mr Macdonald was joined at the launch by representatives
from the ABC project, Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley, and
broadband companies.
Mr Macdonald said:
"This project is at the leading edge of broadband
technology, and will bring affordable broadband services to
the people of Aberfoyle - helping deliver on the
Executive's commitment to widening access across Scotland
to this crucial technology.
"Growing the economy is our top priority, and it is
essential that as many people and businesses as possible
have access to new technologies to help achieve this.
"Many rural and remote parts of Scotland currently do
not have access to mainstream, terrestrial broadband
access. The use of alternative technologies, such as
wireless and satellite, can be used to overcome this
difficulty.
"It is essential that we use the experience gained from
this scheme to help remote and rural communities gain from
this technology, and achieve our goal of a Broadband
Scotland."
Charlene O'Connor, Chief Executive of Scottish
Enterprise Forth Valley, said:
"The Aberfoyle Broadband Community project is a
fantastic example of the results that can be achieved when
businesses and public agencies work together.
"Connecting rural businesses to the latest broadband
communications is a major priority for the Scottish
Enterprise network and this project is leading the way when
it comes to rural connectivity.
"At SE Forth Valley we realise the part rural projects
such as this can play and are delighted that we have been
able to contribute our support and expertise. Rural
businesses in Aberfoyle will now have access to the latest
broadband telecommunications, putting them on a par with
city-based businesses.
"If such a project is possible in Aberfoyle then it can
happen in rural communities throughout the country."
The ABC project will involve: a wireless network which
will connect businesses to two satellite dishes, one
located in Aberfoyle, and the other three miles away in
Kinlochard; and, a wireless hotspot will be located in
Aberfoyle to provide visitors and business users with
access to the internet and e-mail.
The project is being funded from Lomond and Rural
Stirling Leader+ programme, with support from the Aberfoyle
Traders' Association, and Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley.
ABC has been set up as a not-for-profit company which will
reinvest any surplus back into improving the service
provided, and will also invest in good works for the local
community.
Leader+ is the EU Community Initiative aimed at
promoting economic and community development within rural
areas.