AltNet ISP Highland Broadband Expands Rural FTTP Rollout Plan

Scottish ISP Highland Broadband (HB), which is building a 10Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP / XGS-PON) network across rural parts of the Highlands, has started to bring their new network to the first of 2,200 premises across Tain – a royal burgh and parish in the County of Ross. But other areas are also in their plans.

The provider, which is actually a sub-brand of the East and Mid Lothian focused operator Lothian Broadband (LBN), started building in 2022 (here) and currently aims to provide access to gigabit-capable broadband to over 20,000 premises in the highlands by early 2024. Since 2022 they’ve also completed builds in Alness, Invergordon, Evanton, and have now reached Tain.

Both Tain and Invergordon appear to be fairly recent additions to HB’s original Phase 1 locations, which only included Achandunie, Achnagarron, Alness, Ardross, Balnaguisich, Contullich, Cuillich, Dalmore, Dalnavie, Evanton, Millcraig, Rosskeen and Stittenham.

In fact a quick look at HB’s website shows that they’ve now also added the Searboard Villages (Balintore, Shandwick & Hilton), as well as Dornoch, Lairg, Fearn, Portmahomack, Bonar Bridge, Golspie, Invern, Brora and Ardgay to their plans.

Gavin Rogers, CEO of Highland Broadband, said (Ross-shire Journal):

“We are delighted to have completed the next phase of our network build, connecting the first premises in Tain. Ultrafast connectivity in the Highlands makes a massive difference to the communities who live here, and our network is already providing much-needed connectivity to the people and businesses in this part of Scotland.

We are especially grateful for the support from Scottish Government, the Scottish National Investment Bank and Building Digital UK (BDUK) who have supported us in our plans to bring ultrafast connectivity to an area of Scotland where previously only 0.14 per cent of homes had access to a gigabit service.”

Residential customers of the service can expect to pay from £34.99 per month for an unlimited 100Mbps (symmetric) service on a 12 or 24-month term, which rises up to £49.99 (reduced from £74.99) for a 900Mbps service or £64.99 (reduced from £89.99) for 2000Mbps! Various phone, pay TV and mesh WiFi solutions can also be added at an extra cost.

On top of that, new customers who use the WOW6MF promo code are being offered 6 months of free broadband and free calls for 24 months.