A SECOND PHASE of upgrades to Broadband coverage is likely to begin this summer – although coverage in Moray is likely to be limited.
A report before Councillors today on the progress of the roll-out of high speed broadband claims that 37,000 properties in Moray – 83% – are now able to connect to the high speed broadband infrastructure.
The Phase 1 rollout overseen by Highlands and Islands Enterprise is expecting Moray coverage to rise to 93% by the end of this year, with today’s report indicating that the regulatory regime required for the second phase is currently being planned by the Scottish Government.
However, the report acknowledges that while many more properties in Moray are able to access higher speeds, their ability to do so very much depends on their location in relation to existing cabinets – the report noting that those living 2.5km away or greater are “unlikely to see any benefit”.
For those in Moray’s rural areas that are currently struggling to get download speeds above 2mb, the report details a plan to help them with alternative methods, saying: “Individual premises which cannot get speeds of 2MB, and which will not be part of the current broadband roll-out, are eligible to apply for a new grant of up to £350 each from the National Satellite Broadband Scheme.
“This scheme is administered by the Scottish Government and funded by HIE out of the existing Phase 1 funding. The Scheme has been publicised on The Moray Council website and satellite broadband providers have been promoting the scheme locally.”
The paper, however, fails to address any concerns from hundreds of Moray homes and businesses who have been misled by Broadband provider claims of their ability to receive faster services.
As reported extensively on insideMoray throughout the last year, many have been informed they are able to receive high speeds in their area and entered into contracts on that basis – only to be frustrated to find that the speeds advertised are not, in fact, available to them.
In some cases the service they receive for a higher monthly fee fails to even meet the slower speed they previously enjoyed.