Slowing, slowing, stopped......
The EE site visit went well in December with no issues identified with the site but, as mentioned back in the October update, the installation of the electric meter remains outstanding...
EE have ordered the circuit (effectively ordering the broadband connection to be switched on at the site) so another step in the process has started.
We're expecting a further update on activity (and hopefully an indicative plan) following the next Home Office meeting which is due next week.
We have been in contact with the Scottish minister who is ultimately responsible for the S4Gi project and he has offered to push for progress as Strathconon is likely to be the first mast to go live under this project.
Below is a summary of the various other initiatives that could help improve our broadband...even slower than the mast project!
These projects are focused on delivering improved broadband via our phone lines.
R100 project
This project was originally due to deliver a more strategic solution (i.e. mostly fibre broadband) across Scotland by end of 2021.
Due to delays in the awarding of contracts and a dispute with the contract for the Highlands, it is unlikely to be completed until 2023.
What does this mean?
The mast will probably deliver 50mb+ download speeds which will be adequate for most people today but will not provide the long-term strategic solution that is being delivered across the UK (gigabit broadband 1000mb+ download speeds).
Boris Johnson's gigabit election promise (1000mb download speeds for everyone!)
The work on understanding the impact of this election promise is underway within Westminster.
It is yet another initiative which may overlap with the above R100 Scottish government project.
However, any new commitment to fund better broadband (another £5bn is being committed) should help Scotland to get better broadband in a shorter timescale by adding to the funding pot.
Community fibre partnerships
We are still in contact with OpenReach's partnerships Director for Scotland to see whether we can take advantage of the mast work to reduce the cost to OpenReach of connecting us all to fibre broadband.
Work is ongoing to understand how the work on the mast has helped reduce the cost of getting fibre to our houses. There are various government subsidies and possible windfarm money that could help with moving this option forward quicker than R100 or 'Boris Gigabit Broadband'.
Universal Service Obligation
A legal right that we have to demand a minimum 10mb connection which is effective from beginning of April 2020. This could be something that those people who will not be able to access the mast may want to consider.
It may be an option that could assist with forcing OpenReach to upgrade our local exchange in a similar way to Scatwell (resulting in 20mb connections for them).
Once the application process is clear then we will issue some guidance.
