Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan has welcomed the Isle of Eriskay being chosen as one of two places in Scotland for a scheme to trial fibre broadband over long distances.

The technology, known as Long Reach VDSL, was previously trialled in North Tolsta last year by BT Openreach. Broadband speeds reduce significantly the further away households are from the nearest cabinet and this technology aims to address this challenge.  
 
Alasdair Allan MSP commented:
 
“This technology has obvious implications for the rollout of superfast broadband across the Western Isles. It’s good news that Eriskay is one of the first communities to take part in this commercial pilot.

“Despite the fact that broadband is an issue reserved to Westminster, the Scottish Government has invested a huge amount of money in ensuring Superfast Broadband reaches the Hebrides. HIE now believe that 76% of island properties should be able to access fibre by the end of the year.

“While progress that has been made, I am regularly contacted by constituents who are frustrated with their current internet speeds or who live in an area which has been upgraded but they find themselves more than a mile away from the cabinet.

“If successful, I hope this technology can help other communities across the Isles access the superfast broadband they so critically need.”