Broadband questions

I see that the issue of broadband internet connections on the North Isles is back on the agenda again.

I’d like to put in a bid for Uyeasound exchange (nominally a 512 kbps down, 128 kbps up installation, but which actually offers no more than 420 kbps down and 64 kbps up) to be upgraded to the same level of service as Baltasound’s (which I believe to be a nominally 2.2 Mbps down connection), to finally bring Uyeasound’s internet service into line with that of Gutcher and Baltasound.

I feel that it would be nice to have a Lerwick-speed internet connection up here eventually; but that a times-five speed boost resulting from such a change would be a huge step forward for most internet users in this local area.

At the same time, I’d also like to see the Uyeasound exchange opened up to ‘budget’ ISPs such as Plusnet to offer cheaper as well as faster internet connections to residents at the south end of Unst.

Can anyone tell me whether that might be possible; and if not, why not?

Also, I note that the free SIC Guest connection at the ferry terminals is nominally a 1.5Mbps down connection; but that it won’t accept connections to secure websites, such as that of Hotmail’s email connection (for instance).

Is there any reason why a new subscription full service wireless channel internet connection couldn’t be run alongside SIC Guest on the council’s network, and also be upgraded to be on a par with any other standard ISP?

Such a service might make a useful amount of cash for the council: wireless repeaters similar to those in use at the ferry terminals could then be installed at clusters of housing on this island, to offer the new service to a wider subscription.

Philip Andrews
Unst