Rural communities will be stuck without reliable internet after the collapse of a community broadband project.
Frustrated residents and business people have learned the plug has been pulled on plans to provide superfast broadband services in remote areas of North East Fife.
Members of CoINEF (Community Initiatives North East Fife) say they had no choice but to abandon their efforts after six years of hard work when the only remaining supplier engaged with the project withdrew, claiming it was not financially viable.
While 500 premises benefited from CoINEF’s efforts over the years, hundreds more are at their wits’ end with many claiming slow internet speeds are affecting their businesses and home lives.
Knitwear designer Louise Wedderburn said she had internet speeds of just 1.2mb per second at her home near Cupar.
“It’s like a form of torture,” she said.
“I have three children and we can’t have Netflix, we can’t watch YouTube and we can’t even upload photos. It can take 20 minutes just to download your emails.”
Louise added that her children had trouble uploading their homework and she had been unable to expand her business.
“It’s like wading through treacle,” she said.
CoINEF said its potential supplier had withdrawn after discovering it would have to pay non-domestic rates for wireless equipment placed on residential properties.
A spokesperson said: “The procurement process has required an enormous amount of work for the volunteer board on behalf of the local communities over the last year.
“It was quite an undertaking on behalf of the community, culminating in being only the second community group in Scotland to reach the final tender stage due to the complex nature of the procurement process.”
Local MP Willie Rennie said it was bad news for those living in rural parts of North East Fife.
“It will hinder the prospects of local business and opportunities for local people,” he said.
Mr Rennie claimed the Scottish Government must bear the burden of responsibility for the scheme’s failure, adding: “They have failed to deliver the policy that would make the scheme work.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We are acutely aware of the importance of broadband to local communities throughout Scotland, particularly in rural areas like North East Fife.
“That is why we are committed to delivering 100% superfast broadband access across the whole of Scotland by the end of 2021 and have committed £600 million to the first phase of our programme.
“New builds in Scotland that would otherwise pay non-domestic rates will benefit from one year rates free from April 1 under our new Growth Accelerator. This measure, which is unique to Scotland, will apply to community broadband schemes.”
