They say country life moves at a slower pace than in the city, however, the broadband speeds in rural Balquhidder will soon be far from slow as a new initiative will see Balquhidder Community Broadband (BCB) work to deliver hyperfast broadband capable of reaching speeds of 1gbps – making it Scotland’s first gigabit village.

The project is unique as it combines private enterprise, local government and community endeavour to create a one of a kind community-owned broadband service, delivering the high speeds one would usually associate with major towns or cities to 197 households.

With such stunning rural landscape involved, naturally one can imagine having major work carried out would be a significant inconvenience to the local community. However that is not the case; local volunteers have been working tirelessly to dig trenches throughout the area to lay fibre cables provided by internet service provider, Bogons

A touch of modern enterprise and a dash of community spirit can make huge progress for Scotland’s rural communities.

Scotland’s First Gigabit Village

The initiative will receive a preliminary investment of £100,000 from Stirling Council which will be matched by the commercial partner, Bogons. In addition to this, rural development funding from the Scottish LEADER programme will provide a valuable boost to an initiative already expected to bring millions of pounds of economic stimulus to the area.

With broadband speeds hundreds of times faster than those currently available from mainstream ISP’s the investment in hyperfast broadband could pay dividends for the small community in no time; boosting the local economy, drawing investment and aiding diversity in the local community.

Earlier this month Digit reported on the benefits of broadband investment in Scotland’s rural communities, with a rise in property prices and boosts to local businesses expected. Balquhidder can expect the same benefits from broadband investment as residents and businesses will be able to better access online public and commercial services.

Balquhidder to Reap Economic Rewards

David Johnston, director at BCB hailed the project as “hugely significant” not only for Balquhidder but for rural communities around the world stating: “This has been a genuine collaboration between local businesses, local government and local people and our commercial partner Bogons, to lay the foundations for broadband connectivity in Balquhidder on a par with the rest of the world.”

Brandon Butterworth, a director of Bogons Limited also hailed the move as a sign that when businesses and local communities cooperate – such as local volunteers digging the fibre trenches – then exceptional services can be delivered at a lesser cost.

Butterworth said: “We are looking to help other communities where the community is willing to do the digging and other works for us to install fibre. A DIY dig saves the community a significant part of the install cost where any fibre, even fibre to the cabinet, has not previously been available.”

He continued, saying that the firm has future plans to aid other rural communities.

“Balquhidder is our first local project of this nature. Since our work with BCB started we have also now taken on wireless internet service provider provision for neighbouring Loch Tay.”