Researchers built the low-cost ring of wireless phone relays connected to an existing internet connection at the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig college in Skye. The network covers about 40km of the coast of Sleet and Loch Hourn and the villages of Arnisdale and Corran. Broadband connection from the system is faster than in most cities.

Now, scientists say the system could be replicated across rural Scotland, bringing the benefits of fast web access to isolated regions. They have set out in a White Paper details of their pilot project and how high quality broadband might be extended across Scotland.

Professor Peter Buneman (right) of the University of Edinburgh's School of Informatics, who took part in the study, said: "Access to the internet is fast becoming a basic utility in cities, but in rural areas it is often unavailable. People living remotely need web access to run businesses, use mail order, to access educational support, or to contact friends and family. Broadband speed is doubly important in remote areas where radio, TV and telephones may not work well. Our study shows how high-speed access can be made available to remote areas."

Much of rural Scotland is without high quality web access, despite Government investment to upgrade the existing copper wire infrastructure and subsidise satellite connections. Many rural communities are several miles from a telephone exchange - too far for high-speed broadband to work. Satellite connection for high-speed access is very expensive and carries the risk of added technical problems.

The scientists believe that, since thinly populated areas hold little incentive for commercial internet service providers, public sector investment is needed to establish a backbone of internet connections across rural Scotland. Communities could then develop bespoke wireless networks, tapping into these main connections.

McNeil however argues that "Public money should be given to the private sector to provide broadband, instead of it being wasted on ill-conceived projects like ConCom, but I guess this is what happens when politicians who do not understand the technology get blinded by science and BS.

"Maybe if they employed qualified researchers instead of family and friends then they'd be in a better position to judge these projects, but hey when there's a gravy train trough to drain... "

The Barra petition

301 fiona macneil
302 rachael macneil
303 Merian Macneil
304 John MacNeil
305 Margaret & Malcolm MacLeod
306 M Brannigan
Barra needs better broadband! Its taken hours of intermittent, extremely slow connection to actually sign this petition. School children need good connectivity for internet aided learning. Adults need internet for critical sell / purchase from sites such as e-bay and use email, Skype etc. Lack of good internet service is crippling the community in so many ways. BARRA NEEDS BETTER BROADBAND 2009!!!
307 Anonymous
308 margot page
309 angus john macmillan
310 margaret macneil
311 M Heneghan
Why should Barra not have the service others take for granted? Better broadband is surely a priority for the islanders.
312 Iain Brown
Too much money has already been wasted. It must get sorted now, before any more does.
313 Archie Maclean
Nowhere near the advertised speed I am paying for I think this is fraud.
314 Calum Sillars
BT is unable to give a date for Broadband Activation in our area (Eriskay), and £24.50 for 1mbs from Hebrides.net is simply not competitive with mainland service levels.
315 JOHN MACDOUGALL
A DISGRACE AND A WASTE OF PUBLIC MONEY THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED TO PROVIDE THE BEST INTERNET SERVICE TO THE WESTERN ISLES AT A FRACTION OF THE COST OF CONNECTED COMMUNITIES

Broadband urged for Barra
Barra broadband decision
Barra telephone priorities