Telefonica UK has entered in to an agreement with Vodafone United pursuant to which the two companies plan to jointly operate and manage a single network grid across the UK. This agreement allows both organisations to:

• pool their basic network infrastructure, while running two, independent, nationwide networks
• maximise opportunities to consolidate the number of base stations
• significantly reduce the environmental impact of network development

Vodafone is in the process of progressing a suitable site in the local area of Dunecht for a radio base station. Before they submit a planning application they are keen to consult with communities, so if you have any comments on the proposal (location as per attached information below), please let me know.

CTIL_112256 TEF_069870_VF_11887_REV_C plan drawings

Mobiles can only work with a network of base stations in place where people want to use their mobile phones or other wireless devices. As part of Vodafone’s continued network improvement program, there is a specific requirement for improved services in the Dunecht area and the proposed upgrade of the established mast at this proposed site will improve 2G, 3G and 4G coverage in the area.

Local councillors have received notification of a proposed new telecommunications mast at a site on Old Skene Road (see attached map).

Telefonica UK has entered in to an agreement with Vodafone Limited pursuant to which the two companies plan to jointly operate and manage a single network grid across the UK. These arrangements will be overseen by Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Ltd (CTIL) which is a joint venture company owned by Vodafone Limited and Telefonica UI Limited.

This agreement allows both organisations to:

• pool their basic network infrastructure, while running two, independent, nationwide networks
• Maximise opportunities to consolidate the number of base stations
• Significantly reduce the environmental impact of network development

The purpose of the letter we received from Harlequin Group is to consult and seek our views on their proposal before any planning submission is made.

Their letter goes on to say “As part of Telefonica’s continued network improvement program, there is a specific requirement for a new radio base station at this location.

Mobiles can only work with a network of base stations in place where people want to use their mobile phones or other wireless devices. Without base stations, the mobile phones and other devices we rely on simply won’t work.

“Our technical network requirement is as follows:

• 75927 Old Skene Road, Westhill, AB32 6JR – new installation
• The new mast is required to provide additional and improved telecommunications coverage in the area. This would include improved 2G and 3G services and the introduction of 4G services (high speed mobile broadband).

“A number of options have been assessed in respect of the site search process and upgrading this existing base station was seen as the best option as it both complied with local and national planning policy as well as reduced visual impact to a minimum.

“All installations are designed to be fully compliant with the public exposure guidelines established by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). These guidelines have the support of UK Government, The European Union and they also have the formal backing of the World Health Organisation. A certification of ICNIRP compliance would be included within any planning submission.

If you have any comments to make on this proposal, please let me know by 24th March, 2016.

75927 Westhill Planning Drawings

Please accept my apologies in advance. Although I grew up speaking Doric, I never had much cause to write it and I haven’t had time to run this past Robbie Shepherd, Norman Harper, Don Carney or Robert Lovie (our very own Doric bards) for any kind of accuracy, so bear with me! I’ve been encouraged by the letters received in light of a paper coming before Policy & Resources tomorrow (see here, item 12). Although a serious matter for Aberdeenshire Council to consider, here is a lighthearted take on it and apologies in advance to the Roads Department and the Provost!

Fit like i day? Am sitting here jist pondering a paper due ti be cha’d o’er in Woodhill Hoose i morn. The heid bummers are being asked to find a lot o siller to promote the Gaelic in Aiberdeenshire. Noo, I hinna ony problem wi’ the Gaelic spik – (I see thon Wikipedia is saying that the Lonach heilanders eence spoke it, bit dasht, I dinna ken if that was afore their drams or efter) – bit it wis aye doric fin I was a quine in Strathdon, and wis that richt across the North East.

There’s a richt stramash at the cooncil wi’ the Gaelic Board demandin jist a bitty mare than us cooncillors are prepared to pairt wi’. They’re speering for new bi-lingual road signs – some o’ the Roads mannies canna spell onywye, so foo on earth wid they hunnel Gaelic?

The vratches are wintin us to pit Gaelic on to posters and policy documents fan we’re already oot the door wi’ darned papers an scrolling doon that new-fangled website tiks lang enough as it is. Whit a sotter it wid be adding mair words. We’re aricht aboot mibbe learning twa-three words o’ greetins although ‘is micht prove a bit o a yoke for the new Provost seein as he’s greetin maist o’ the time.

Noo, am nae wintin tae be contermashious an’ I like ti think that the cooncil is inclusive, but I’d be fair tricket if my fellow chiels wid chaap ‘is gypit plan on the heid the morn and keep a guid hud o’ the baw-bees.

With gigabit speed connectivity (1000Mpbs) – 100 times the UK average – businesses will see a radical change in service speed and quality, revolutionising user experience, boosting productivity and increasing resilience.

City Fibre Holdings has announced a major investment in gigabit speed symmetrical world class broadband infrastructure in Aberdeen which will connect to both Porthlethen and Westhill. Businesses are being urged to register their interest at www.aberdeencore.com as the investment in fibre will reflect registrations of interest and this is a unique opportunity for businesses to give themselves a competitive edge – we will be the first city region in Scotland to offer businesses gigabit connectivity and symmetrical up/download speeds.

Small and medium-sized businesses in Aberdeen can apply for a Connection Voucher for the Aberdeen CORE as part of a Government programme. The grant of up to £3,000 will pay for connection costs of an ultra-fast, pure fibre connection to your business.

Please register your interest and find out more here

From 1 October 2014, people in five areas of the UK will need to include the area code whenever they dial a local number from a landline – in the same way people currently do when calling from mobile phones.

At present the code can be omitted for local calls from landlines , but this means Ofcom is unable to make available new local numbers beginning with a ‘zero’ or a ‘one’.
The change will free up new telephone numbers to be issued in areas where supplies are running low.

Which areas are affected?

The change will happen in five dialling code areas:

• Aberdeen (01224): Includes Aberdeen and the area to the west, including towns such as Westhill.
• Bradford (01274): Includes Bradford and the surrounding areas such as Baildon, Bingley, Cleckheaton and Shipley.
• Brighton (01273): Includes Brighton and Hove, as well as places such as Lewes, Newhaven, Peacehaven and Southwick.
• Middlesbrough (01642): Includes Middlesbrough and surrounding places such as Stockton, Redcar, Stokesley and Yarm.
• Milton Keynes (01908): Includes Milton Keynes, Bletchley, Newport Pagnell and an area to the north as far as Ravenstone.

For further information click here

Follow on Facebook – Cllr Iris Walker – Westhill and District

Follow on Twitter  @ iris_tweets

Due to distribution problems with the Broadband survey postcards, and Royal Mail agreeing to keep their data analysis service open for a longer period of time, the deadline for return of the postcards is now Friday 22nd March. Libraries and area offices will continue to stock the cards so if you have not yet responded – please do!

Your response is critical to provide evidence to enable Aberdeenshire Council to access funding to improve broadband services in our area.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cllr-Iris-Walker-Westhill-and-District/245153495579313

@iris_tweets