Abernethy pupils get a lesson with fibre broadband

Pupils from Abernethy Primary School were superfast in finding out the benefits of fibre broadband when the Digital Scotland Fibre Showcase paid them a visit.

More than 700 households and businesses in Abernethy can now access high-speed fibre services thanks to the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme.

The Digital Scotland team visited pupils from Abernethy Primary School and during the visit, pupils were able to climb aboard the Digital Scotland Fibre Showcase, a unique vehicle which features equipment used in the roll-out of fibre broadband.

Local people need to sign up for the new services with an internet service provider, as upgrades are not automatic.

The premises join more than 30,000 in Perth and Kinross – and more than 710,000 across Scotland – that are now able to access fibre broadband through the £410 million Digital Scotland rollout.

Other local areas which now have coverage thanks to the programme include Aberfeldy, Burrelton, Comrie, Crieff, Forgandenny, Dunkeld, Birnam, Glenfarg and Scotlandwell.

More local coverage will follow as engineers from Openreach, BT’s local network business, continue work on the ground.

Fibre broadband offers fast and reliable broadband connections at speeds of up to 80Mbps* and there are many suppliers in the marketplace to choose from.

Whether you own a business, work from home or want to keep in touch with friends and family, fibre broadband enables multiple users to connect to the internet at high speeds and get better, faster access to online services.

Sara Budge, Programme Director for Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband, said: “It’s fantastic news that the programme has been able to benefit residents and businesses in and around Abernethy.

“I would like to thank Abernethy Primary School for having us and I hope that the children visiting the Digital Scotland Fibre Showcase found it an enjoyable experience finding out what fibre broadband can provide and how it’s delivered.”

BT is investing £126 million in the Digital Scotland rollout. Robert Thorburn, BT Scotland’s Fibre Broadband Director, added: “We hope Abernethy pupils had fun finding out how high-speed technology powers the internet – and who knows, maybe we even inspired a few engineers of the future.

“We’re working hard to get superfast services to as many local households as possible. Thousands across Perth and Kinross can now connect to their best ever broadband speeds when they sign up with a service provider – so why not check if you’re among them.“

Local people can check the interactive map on the Digital Scotland website (http://www.scotlandsuperfast.com/where-when/) to find out if they can get the service and further information is also available on Twitter @ScotSuperfast or Facebook at www.facebook.com/scotlandsuperfast

ENDS

*These are the top wholesale speeds available from Openreach to all service providers; speeds offered by service providers may vary.

Notes to editors:

Due to the current network topography and the economics of deployment, it is likely that not all premises within selected exchange areas will be able to access fibre-based broadband at the same point in the roll-out.

The Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme aims to provide fibre broadband infrastructure to parts of Scotland not included in commercial providers’ investment plans. Combined with current commercial roll-out plans, the programme will deliver access to fibre broadband to around 95% of premises by the end of the current contract.

Funding partners include the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, BT, the UK Government through Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), local authorities and the European Regional Development Fund.