Please see this information form Aberdeenshire council on Broadband support to business/householders to help reach 100% connectivity at speed.
I hope this email finds you well. I am reaching out to all Community Councils in Aberdeenshire, with an introduction to the Digital Engagement Team within Aberdeenshire Council. Having been newly created at the end of 2021, we are in post to support residents, communities and businesses, to access better broadband, through a number of programmes.
Scottish Government’s Reaching 100% (R100) programme, has been created to ensure that every premises in Scotland has access to superfast broadband speeds (of at least 30Mbps), by the end of March 2022. This promise is being fulfilled through three work streams:
- An expansion of full-fibre broadband infrastructure funded by Scottish Government
- Expansion of infrastructure plans by commercial operators
- Launch of the Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme (SBVS) to subsidise alternative broadband solutions
A principle objective of the Digital Engagement Team, is to stimulate demand in the R100 programme, and associated Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme, to support residents of Aberdeenshire to utilise the support open to them, and to ensure that residents have all the necessary information and guidance, to make the best choice.
We are working closely with Scottish Government to support the rollout of Full-Fibre broadband, and so have access to a wide range of data sets, meaning we can review broadband connectivity at a property level. This ensures we can give specific, tailored advice to every resident we support. In addition, we are working with local and national telecoms operators, to ensure we have the best information on coverage and solutions, for every area of Aberdeenshire.
In addition to the R100 programme, we are able to advise on usage of UK Government’s Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme. Furthermore, we are able to provide advice and support, on a wide range of matters relating to digital connectivity.
Our webpage on Aberdeenshire Council website, gives some more detail, and has some useful links, on the support can offer, and what programmes are available to residents:
https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/business/support-and-advice/communities/Digital-Connectivity/
We are keen to spread the word that our team is here to help, and would welcome any support you and your colleagues within your Community Council can offer, in making residents aware of the support available to them, in getting better broadband.
Additionally, we are well aware that there are many pockets of Aberdeenshire, where our support would be of real impact. In this case, we would be happy to present some information to the Community Council, or other community group, should this be desirable, either in person, or via online meetings.
If there is more information you would like, or to discuss anything further, please feel free to get in touch with myself, or the Digital Engagement Team at digitalengagement@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.
Many thanks,
Jack Rigby
Digital Stakeholder Lead Officer
Aberdeenshire Council
Economic Development | Gordon House | Blackhall Road | Inverurie | AB51 3WA
Team Email: digitalengagement@aberdeenshire.gov.uk