Orkney to host R100 drop-in events

A number of drop-in events are being held across Orkney this week for folk to find out a bit more about the Scottish Government’s R100 initiative and the opportunities it brings for accessing faster broadband.  

Representatives from the Scottish Government and digital network Openreach, who are delivering the R100 contract rollout, will be visiting Harray on the Mainland as well as Westray, Sanday and Eday.  

The Reaching 100% programme ensures that all premises in Scotland can access superfast broadband as a minimum – speeds of at least 30 Megabits per second. The £600m broadband infrastructure programme includes the R100 contracts, which will see more than 3,000 homes and businesses in Orkney benefit from full fibre, which is more than 30 times faster than the Scottish Government’s original commitment.  

For those residents not in R100 contract or commercial build plans the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme offers a subsidy of up to £5,000 to access a faster broadband solution, of which there are around 940 eligible premises in Orkney.  

Openreach is also working on a Fibre Community Partnership, using voucher funding, in Dounby, Harray.  

Drop-in events will be held at:   

Westray (Thursday 3 October, Learning Centre, 10am)   

Sanday (Thursday 3 October, Heilsa Fjold, 12.15pm)   

Eday (Thursday 3 October, Eday Heritage Centre, 3pm)   

Folk in these areas who can’t make it along can express an interest in finding out more by heading to  www.openreach.co.uk/r100 

Scottish Government Broadband Programme Director Sarah Eynon said: “The Scottish Government is accelerating access to future-proofed full fibre broadband for those who need it most despite Scotland having some of the most challenging terrain in which to deploy digital infrastructure in Europe.  

“With more than 1,600 homes and businesses in the Orkney Islands already able to benefit from R100 full fibre build it’s really promising to see the roll-out continuing across Westray, Rousay, Eday, Sanday and the Orkney Mainland in the coming months. These connections are possible due to the seven subsea broadband cables that were laid across the Orkney Islands through the Scottish Government’s R100 programme in 2022. I’d really encourage people to take up the new service when it becomes available to them.”  

Openreach Partnership Director, Robert Thorburn, said: “We’re making good progress on the R100 build in Orkney, working closely with Orkney Islands Council and other specialists and agencies. We’re often working in sensitive locations, so protection of nature, wildlife and the environment is a top priority.  

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime upgrade which will make a massive difference for the long term. We work really hard to avoid disruptive operations by reusing existing poles and ducts and using engineering innovations instead of digging up roads. But as we step up work, we do want residents to be aware that sometimes civils work or new poles are needed to reach as many local homes and businesses as possible.  

“Local people can check the status of our build for their specific address and register for updates using the link www.openreach.co.uk/r100 

“We’d encourage people to check and, once service is available, place an order with their chosen service provider, who’ll be able to tell them about the speed and service options on offer.”  

The OIC’s Graduate Trainee (Digital Engagement and Enterprise), Ewan Kennedy, said: “We are hopeful that the Scottish Government and R100 team are able to see as many people as possible at these drop-in events. They are an opportunity to support residents with information and advice to secure faster broadband connections.  

“Better digital connectivity across Orkney is a key part of our Council Plan and is vital for both regional economic development and for our residents and communities, especially as the demand for online and data-based services is only going to increase in future.  

“The Council appreciates that for many residents this is a hugely technical subject, but we are working together to try to help people understand all elements.”   

If anyone would like to find out more information about the R100 scheme head to https://www.scotlandsuperfast.com/ or www.openreach.co.uk/r100 

For any digital connectivity questions in general, please contact Orkney Islands Council at digital@orkney.gov.uk Ewan Kennedy at 01856 873 535Ext: 3668 or visit www.orkney.gov.uk/digital-connectivity