PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Western Isles 'Connected Communities' project will deliver an innovative high performance broadband wireless network across the five main populated islands of Lewis, Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and Barra.

The network will connect a diverse range of organisations and individuals placing the Western Isles at the forefront of broadband developments in rural areas.

Connected Communities will also be piloting a number of technologies which will be a model for other rural and island areas to replicate.

The 'Connected Communities' island network will utilise a combination of fibre and leading edge Wireless Broadband Base stations and multipoint in-community links. This will allow new networks to be demonstrated in community locations and provide teleworkers and local companies high speed connections through wireless antennas. Initially schools, healthcentres Council offices will receive a high speed connection and through this same infrastructure the rest of the community will gradually have access as the network develops.

The network pilot is funded by the DTI UKOnline, Scottish Executive, Western Isles Enterprise and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

~ about the project ~ project status ~ project background ~