£30.4k Grant Boosts Aberdeenshire and Angus Rural Broadband Network

The Community Broadband Scotland (CBS) scheme has released a grant of £30,400 that will be used to upgrade the rural Marykirk.com fixed wireless broadband network, which has already connected 80 premises along the South Aberdeenshire and North Angus border in Scotland.

At present the existing network, which was first setup via the Mearns Internet Initiative in 2013, can already deliver Internet download speeds of 18-23Mbps (4Mbps upload) to quite a wide area along the rural local authority border, although its main focus appears to be on the Marykirk, Edzelle, Stracathro and other parts in the Howe of the Mearns area.

The new grant is intended to ensure that those covered by the network will be able to receive superfast broadband speeds of 25Mbps, as well as supporting a general coverage expansion and the ability to connect more premises in the area.

Shaun Marley, CBS Adviser, said:

“After the initial roll-out of marykirk.com, CBS has continued to have a strong working relationship with Mearns Internet Initiative, encouraging the team to build on its initial success. Providing additional funding will enable this inspiring group to connect further premises with fast broadband and reap the benefits of increased connectivity.

Marykirk.com is proof positive of the importance of digital connectivity to the growth of rural populations across Scotland. Now with four members of part-time staff, the positive impact of broadband continues to be felt throughout the Howe of the Mearns area.”

Bill Buchan, CEO of Marykirk.com, added:

“Everyone now needs continuous, fast internet service. Before, the internet here was unusable, now we’re providing areas with speeds of 10-25mbps which is really enabling for both businesses and individuals who now no longer have to leave this rural area to get fast broadband.”

The service itself typically attracts a connection fee of £90 inc. VAT, which includes a router (Mikrotik 951) and the installation of either a Ubiquiti Nanostation M5 or Ubiquiti Nanostation Loco M5 (depending on location) on the outside of your premises (this is used to receive the wireless signal).

Otherwise the monthly prices typically range from £30 inc. VAT per month for a 5-8Mbps (4Mbps upload) package with a 100GB usage allowance, to £48 per month if you want the current top 18-23Mbps (4Mbps upload) package with a 200GB allowance.