Considering that a move  to the relatively sophisticated Dunoon region, and even equipped with best of connect breed Vodaphone, you will battle to get links. Reports are that there's no reception for certain TV channels, though the local library is on line, so emails do get through.

MSP behind efforts to improve broadband report a very constructive meeting with Hebrides.net in October to allow us to put to them in person the range of concerns that have been raised with us concerning the service they offer. 

Hebrides.net [live local, connect global says its site with the following news break... test Network News [03/11/2009 12:19] Work is being carried out and is expected to last until 1500 today. Connected Communities apologise for any inconvenience caused. Regards Chris Hebrides.net]

It now advises that it is seeking to employ additional support staff to facilitate an extension to the Helpdesk service and, whilst modest, this is a welcome move in the right direction. 

The intention is to extend the service to 8pm on weekdays, (Well it'll be dark then and who would need the internet after 8pm?)  together with some Saturday daytime hours. (Fancy wanting the internet on a Saturday during the day!) And there may be scope for further improvements in due course. 

Those concerned are also pleased that download capacity via Hebrides.net has now been doubled and, again, believe this is a step in the right direction.  The speed of the service is regularly raised with us and we are also pleased that a small trial (no numbers, no pack drill) of higher speeds will allow Hebrides.net to assess the impact on the ‘backhaul’ to the internet, with the hope that improved speeds can be rolled out.
  
As a result of that meeting the MSPs have written to a range of others whose performance affects your services:-   Highlands & Islands Enterprise about the wholesale price charged to Hebrides.net; BT asking if the microwave link to the mainland can be improved; Scottish & Southern Energy about more robust back-up power to masts in the event of power failures. Information on the role Comhairle might play in future running of Connected Communities. (Keep a weather eye on the Valuation Office Agency)

Following the MSP lobbying, they have secured a meeting with Stephen Timms MP, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury and the Minister driving(!) the Digital Britain strategy to improve broadband across the UK.  We have invited a range of key stakeholders, including the Comhairle and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to join us at that meeting.

Overflow needed before telephone exchange upgrades.
A number of Parliamentary Questions have been tabled about announcement that some telephone exchanges in rural areas are to be upgraded. The MSPs asked if communities could bid to have their exchange upgraded and whether the Islands are included in this programme? They have been advised, that the Scottish Government will only support existing exchanges which are near, or at full capacity.  This is clearly a disappointing limitation.

(Keep dreaming world, and hang in there Barra!)