This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Broadband for the Borders
03/02/2004
An Executive-backed pilot scheme to
link Scotland's rural communities to broadband today went
live.
£1 million is being invested in the
Scottish Borders Rural Broadband Service (SBRB), which will
expand broadband coverage in nine local communities using a
new fixed wireless service.
Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace
visited Universal Fibre Optics in Coldstream to launch the
scheme, where he highlighted the economic benefits that the
new service could bring to the area.
Mr Wallace said:
"Broadband can play a key role in
growing the economy across Scotland, bringing benefits to
rural areas, where business can thrive in even the most
remote communities.
"A year ago there was no broadband
coverage in the Borders. Developments in the last year, and
the contribution this scheme will make, give a potential
coverage of 70 per cent."
Universal Fibre Optics Managing
Director Rob Bowey said:
"As the only manufacturer of glass
fibre for lighting in the UK and a major supplier of fibre
optic lighting systems worldwide we need to have the most
up-to-date technological and commercial knowledge readily
available to remain competitive.
"Also, our customers need to be able
to communicate with us via e-mail from wherever they are in
the world, so we appreciate the benefits that high speed
internet connection can bring."
The service is available to businesses
and households in the Borders. Coldstream resident Mark
Goodwin said:
"Having broadband in Coldstream and
the Borders will benefit residents who want to use the
internet but are frustrated by the slow speeds from a
conventional internet dial-up connection."
SBRB is being funded by £700,000 from
the Scottish programme of the UK Broadband Fund, with
additional support of £270,000 from Scottish
Enterprise.
It will use fixed wireless technology
to deliver broadband services to businesses and households
in Cardrona, Coldstream, Duns, Earlston, Eyemouth,
Innerleithen, Jedburgh, Kelso, and Newton St Boswells.
SBRB will deliver broadband for up to
1,000 users - residential and business. An evaluation will
be undertaken after two years to gauge the potential for
increasing the number of subscribers.
The project has links with Broadband
for Scotland, a joint initiative by the Scottish Executive,
Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise,
providing businesses and home users with impartial and
independent advice about the availability and benefits of
broadband.
www.broadbandforscotland.co.uk