Community broadband for South Whiteness?

RESIDENTS in South Whiteness are being asked to complete a survey to gauge if there is enough interest in starting a community broadband service in the area.

Whiteness Community Broadband, which is led by Harold Massie, is exploring ways in which locals could receive faster Internet connections.

The nearest fibre broadband cabinet is at the junction of the A971 and the Wormadale/Nesbister road.

Massie said the service could potentially be improved if two or three cabinets were installed on the South Whiteness road as part of a new fibre to the home scheme.

Alternatively, a mast could be placed at Wormadale to beam radio broadband service to South Whiteness.

It is thought this could provide speeds of up to 50Mb/s with an average connection getting 30Mb/s unlimited data download at a cost of around £30 per month.

However, there would be a number of potential options available, with a mix of fibre and wireless also a possibility.

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Questionnaires have been delivered to all households in South Whiteness and they should be returned to Harold Massie at Brighouse or in the box in the Whiteness shop by 21 December.

The results of the survey will be used by the group to determine if the project is viable and able to attract funding.

If there is enough interest, a public meeting may be held in the future with the view of setting up a formal group to install and operate the service.