Voove revs up for voucher roll-out

A spark of hope for improved digital connectivity in the Western Isles as local supplier signs up for Scottish Government’s £5k voucher roll out.

Figures released last month revealed the extent to which the Western Isles have been left behind when it comes to the promise of delivering superfast Broadband for all.

The Reaching 100% (R100) project set out to ensure everyone is Scotland had access to broadband speeds of 30-mbps or over by the end of 2021. When it became clear that a good number of households would not be reached by the target date, Scottish Government launched the Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme (SBVS) with the aim of enabling people outside the scope of the project to apply for a voucher to get connected via an alternative supplier.

With no alternative suppliers signed up to deliver the voucher scheme in Uist, take up has been non existent.

An FOI request from Scottish Conservative Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron
recently revealed that none of those awaiting improved broadband access in the Western Isles had been able to make use of the voucher, and of the 6,5897 properties in the north of Scotland connected through the R100 scheme, none were in the Western Isles.
That situation is set to change with the announcement that local supplier Voove has been granted ‘referred supplier’ status.

Voove Managing Director Angus Doyle explained how the voucher scheme can help those struggling with poor connectivity:

“Our aim is to connect the unconnected. We have a hybrid approach using a mix of 4G and Fixed Wireless. The plan is to utilise commercial 4G equipment to deliver residential internet at the highest capacity available and ensure that the technology we install today meets the requirements of today, but is also future-proof for tomorrow’s technological upgrades.

“We are exploring other solutions in areas where 4G is not suitable, for example by delivering internet via Fixed Wireless connection, much in the same way that Hebnet delivered internet, but with speeds 200 times that of Hebnet, in some cases, without the need to dig up roads to lay fibre.

“Our goal is to deliver all of these services at £35 per month or less for unlimited internet, and all within the scope of the voucher scheme.

“The more support we have from the local council, townships and the community as a whole, the quicker the delivery and the greater the coverage can be achieved.

“There is no big windfall to be had here, our role is to infill what BT cannot, as it stands the Islands have one final opportunity to take advantage of the offering by the Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme. As a local business, we are taking part in this with the understanding that there will be no profit made on any of the equipment, masts, or hardware required to deliver this.”

Those wishing to find out more about the voucher scheme can contact Voove direct, or check out the scotlandsuperfast.com website, where a post code checker will confirm eligibility.