Broadband Television

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Western Isles Enterprise, with funding from LEADER+, have commissioned a study into the development of community-based Broadband Television in the Outer Hebrides.

Broadband Television is an area of increasing interest and activity and a number of areas have recently launched local broadband TV services, including Glasgow and Doncaster.

The ‘Connected Communities’ broadband project means that within the next six months, a high performance broadband network will be available across the islands. These advances in broadband technology across the Outer Hebrides would make it easy for residents across the islands to get access to locally generated programming through their PC.

Cllr Archioe Campbell, Chairman of Sustainable Development, said, “ We think that Broadband Television could meet objectives in delivering public services, giving opportunities in training and employment, and offering a platform for providing new and exciting ways for communities throughout the Outer Hebrides to talk to each other and the wider world.”

Consultancy firm Western Connect has been commissioned to carry out the study and over the next couple of months will be talking to representatives of media organisations, community groups and public agencies. The study will look at the support for establishing a Broadband TV service, the costs involved in setting up and running a service, who should be involved and the potential business model for its establishment and operations. Western Connect will also be looking at how Broadband Television has been developed in other areas, particularly those with a strong voluntary and community emphasis and a focus on service delivery.

The study will look at:

• Level of demand for the service.
• Opportunities for voluntary involvement, training and skills development.
• Key areas where services could be delivered through Broadband TV.
• Resource requirements for the initial development and long term sustainability of the service.
• Areas of potential revenue income and funding opportunities.
• An overview of the technical requirements for setting up and operating the service.
• Potential management and operational structures.

Notes:

• The regeneration strategy for the Outer Hebrides, “Creating Communities of the Future” views broadband innovation as one of the key drivers that will stimulate future economic growth. A priority action under broadband developments is to stimulate the delivery of a range of innovative media services.
• If you would like to find out more about the study, or are interested in being involved, please contact Anne Murray, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar on 01851 709277 or by e-mail on amurray@cne-siar.gov.uk

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk