Bid to bring ultra-fast broadband to Grantown and wider strath
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Work on building the first stage of the StrathspeyNow community broadband network has been given the green light.
The project – offering gigabit-capable broadband to homes and businesses across Strathspey – will start in Grantown and expand out to nearby communities.
Simon Baldwin, director of Destination Digital, the company delivering StrathspeyNow, explained: “Hundreds of property owners registered their interest with us at the end of 2020 and the beginning of this year. Continued restrictions slowed our process but we are delighted to announce that the network build starts next month.”
Those who have registered will now receive information asking them to confirm their interest in being connected.
Once confirmed, funds will be released to build the network and connect homes and businesses on a staged roll-out.
Richard Watson, of Destination Digital said: “We are deploying gigabit-capable broadband wirelessly. As a result, the roll-out is significantly faster than traditional ‘in the ground’ solutions, and we hope to have the first connections live in September.”
The StrathspeyNow network will not only deliver superfast, ultra-fast and - in some cases - hyperfast connections to those signing up, but it will also deliver benefits to support the community.
The company delivering the initiative is also behind the UK and Scotland’s only Digital Improvement District, the award-winning CuparNow in Fife.
Simon explained: “That project has more than two years of evidential support demonstrating how managed, integrated digital communication and services are delivering significant benefits at a community level.”
He added: “We are adapting the model for StrathspeyNow and will share more information soon on how we will be supporting businesses, community groups, education and training providers, environmental projects as well as health and well-being initiatives.”
Now restrictions on face to face meetings are easing, the company is planning an open event later in August.
John Halliday, of the Grantown Society, has campaigned for this approach for more than three years.
He said: “We recognised the dearth of connectivity in our area and we have worked closely with Destination Digital to get to this point.
“The success of the network and the support it can deliver to our community will depend on how home and business owners embrace it.
“The more who sign up, the more will be delivered. We have made a good start to be able to launch.”
n More on StrathspeyNow and how to register is at https://www.strathspeynow.blog/register/ and details on the upcoming package options is at https://transmitair.com/strathspeynow/
