A programme to increase digital connectivity – including broadband and mobile coverage – in Aberdeenshire has started in Portlethen and Newtonhill.

Aberdeenshire Council has established a team of three to support this roll-out, the infrastructure services committee heard today.

As part of this project a new page on the council website has been set up: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/business/support-and-advice/communities/Digital-Connectivity/

The team is working to advise the public on the options available, and best courses of action to improve their digital connectivity.

They support the national “Reaching 100%” programme (R100) which aims to provide superfast broadband to every premises in Scotland. An internet speed of 30Mbps or above is considered to be superfast broadband.
The Scottish Government has established the Scottish Broadband Voucher Schemes. There are two categories – Interim Voucher Scheme (IVS) and Main Voucher Scheme (MVS). Properties which are included in planned build-outs, can utilise a £400 IVS to obtain an interim broadband solution, to gain access to superfast broadband by the end of March 2022. Properties who are not included in planned build-outs, can utilise a £5,000 MVS to obtain a permanent broadband solution.

So far 487 vouchers have been issued locally.

The report before councillors says that “builds within Aberdeenshire commenced in November 2021, starting with the Portlethen and Newtonhill areas. At the time of writing this report, no properties have gone live on full-fibre within Aberdeenshire as part of the R100 build-outs.”

I asked for further details of what is happening in Newtonhill and Portlethen, and this will follow shortly.

I also expressed concerns about the lack of publicity about this roll-out. I was assured that the new team are considering how best to ensure information is shared, including the possibility of a mail drop.

The full report can be found here by scrolling to Item 6 on the agenda: https://committees.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/committees.aspx?commid=495&meetid=19813