What steps it will take to ensure that Highlands and Islands Enterprise is providing an internet service on Barra that is satisfactory to a…

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), which deals with all operational matters in relation to the Connected Communities project, has advised that the project has been providing a satisfactory internet service in the areas of Barra served by the Castlebay and Greinn mast sites since May 2006. The service to the rest of Barra was completed when the Loch Ob and Eoligarry relay sites were completed in December 2008. In the same way that BT cannot guarantee broadband coverage on its broadband-enabled exchanges, Connected Communities is unable to guarantee 100% coverage. Connected Communities also provides a broadband connection to a number of subscribers in Barra who are unable to receive a service from the (BT broadband-enabled) Castlebay exchange due to their distance from the exchange.
Furthermore, in recognition of the publication of the Digital Britain report on 16 June, we understand that the UK Government''s universal service commitment will deliver broadband at a speed of 2Mbps. Further details of how this will be delivered or expected timescales for particular areas are not yet known.