Friday, January 07, 2011

UK - Approval has been given for state aid to link Shetland to the mainland

[ispreview] The European Union (EU) has officially granted state aid clearance to the Shetland Islands Council (SIC) for homes and businesses on the islands to benefit from a new fibre optic broadband cable link with mainland Scotland (UK).

The Shetland Fibre Optic Network (SFON) project will, in total, cost roughly £1.1 million to complete but could significantly improve broadband ISP connections for island residents. Until now only the Faroe Islands have been able to benefit from the original 2007 laid cable after BT refused to extend it.

According to the Shetland Times, a fibre optic cable running between Lerwick and Hoswick is now expected to be completed before summer 2011; work to hook up the other towns will commence later in the year. It was revealed in September 2010 (here) that £367,500 of the total was to come from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

EU Green Lights Shetland Islands UK Fibre Optic Broadband Project

No comments: