Aberdeenshire Council is issuing broadband survey postcards to all addresses within the area as part of the council’s work with Scottish Government to access funding to improve Aberdeenshire’s broadband coverage.

The council has already agreed to contribute up to £18million to improve broadband services in the area but it needs to provide evidence of demand from residents and businesses in order to be in the best position to access additional funding from the Scottish Government.

Aberdeenshire Council will focus its resources on increasing the minimum speed beyond 2Mbps to prevent further widening of the digital divide.
In addition, the council will invest £2million alongside Aberdeen City Council towards superfast broadband services around the western boundary of Aberdeen and Westhill.

Make sure you complete and return the postcards to show that demand exists by Thursday, February 28.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cllr-Iris-Walker-Westhill-and-District/245153495579313

Sir Robert Smith, Member of Parliament for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine called last week for a Parliamentary Debate on the roll out of Superfast Broadband.

 Sir Robert said:  “The North East has a higher than average take-up of Broadband and it is important to build on that demand.  The Government should also recognise that those areas that didn’t benefit the last time round should not be left behind again.”

Sir Robert has consistently highlighted the need for increased investment in Broadband in the North East and has recently added his support to the campaign to improve connectivity in the Midmar area.