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A COMMUNITY company set up to try and deliver superfast broadband for Skye communities has removed Staffin from its target area, it has emerged.

BT has a major contract to deliver superfast internet speeds in Skye in 2016 but will be unable to cover the whole island. That led to the formation of the North Skye Broadband (NSB) company last year http://www.northskyebroadband.com/ which aims to provide the service to the communities that will not benefit from the BT roll out. The not-for-profit company’s board is represented by residents living in communities such as Glendale, Waternish, Struan, Skeabost and Kilmuir.

Staffin had also been part of the NSB area but at a meeting in Staffin Hall on Monday night (4.4) the audience learned it has now been taken out.

NSB’s project officer Elgar Finlay said BT had reviewed its own catchment area last month and is looking to run a “fibre spine” between Uig and Staffin. This meant the Staffin postcodes which had been initially included in NSB’s area, which were drawn up with input from Community Broadband Scotland and BT, were removed.

BT to supply superfast in Staffin.

Mr Finlay said that he understood that the cabinets which would provide the superfast service would be located at various points in Staffin and superfast would reach properties within 2-km of them. However, NSB steering group member Niall Till said the service may be affected by what side of the road each property is sited on in relation to the cabinets and the type of connection provided.

Given the huge importance of a faster internet service for businesses and local residents, the Staffin Community Trust will request further information from BT as to its planned superfast broadband works in Staffin

Further information on Staffin’s removal from the NSB catchment area can be accessed here: http://www.northskyebroadband.com/blognews/