Ullapool in line for speedier broadband
HOMES and businesses in the Ullapool area are set to get superfast internet speeds thanks to a community funded broadband scheme launched today.
Highland Community Broadband (HCB) has been formed by local residents with the help of Ullapool Community Trust (UCT) to ensure rural areas like Ullapool, Lochbroom, Little Lochbroom and Coigach can get better broadband.
HCB aims to provide the service to people by early next year, financed solely by the local community.
Developed and run by HCB, the service uses wireless technology rather than cables so it’s the same speed wherever the service is located. Around 650 connections will be managed by a local team.
The project’s customer services will be run by local staff who will be trained to provide technical support.
Flick Hawkins, chairwoman of Ullapool Community Trust, said: "We’re delighted that HCB will be providing broadband to these areas and the community is funding this and working together to create a reliable, affordable superfast broadband network.
"Many people had slow or non-existent broadband services and we will consign that to history. It’s really exciting."
The scheme is being financed and run by the community and aims to connect 650 homes by July and 850 by the end of 2017.
HCB opens to subscribers from today, Thursday September 1.
Building the infrastructure is estimated to take six months and it will begin in October.
It is estimated to cost £153,350 and HCB needs to raise £75,000 to fund the first phase of the enterprise, which will cover the operating costs, and will extend the network with future revenues.
HCB will offer next generation access as a standard service with an unlimited downloads, up to 50Mbps download speed and up to 20Mbps upload speed.
They will charge customers £25 per month with a one off £100 installation fee.
A low user tariff will also be available at £20 per month with one off £100 installation fee, at a later date.
The roll-out will start in Ullapool, move on to Southern Lochbroom, Northern Lochbroom, Little Lochbroom including Gruinard and The Coasts and then move onto Coigach.
• Go to: www.hcbroadband.co.uk for further details and to register interest.
