Remote village to get broadband

Rhenigidale was inaccessible except by boat or on foot until 1989.

A remote island village is to get broadband access through special transmission masts 19 years after it was first connected to the main road.

Rhenigidale on Harris in the Western Isles will be given high-speed access through the public Connected Communities (ConCom) project.

The scheme is funded by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

Islander Kenny Mackay said people would benefit from the faster connections.

Best option

In June, it was announced wireless broadband for the community of Northbay on Barra will be provided through a publicly funded scheme.

ConCom, which is being rolled out on the Western Isles, met with opposition in Northbay.

Residents argued money would be better spent upgrading telephone exchanges for BT to provide cheaper and faster internet services.

But HIE said following an evaluation, ConCom remained the best option.

HIE chief executive Sandy Cumming said it had been demonstrated ConCom was value for money.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version