Work is currently underway to deliver an ambitious two-phase plan to significantly improve digital connectivity in Prestonpans.
The project is split into two delivery phases, with Phase One improving upon existing infrastructure to drastically improve broadband and mobile connectivity at The Pennypit Centre.
The project has been initiated, developed, and is being delivered by East Lothian Council in conjunction with GoFibre, Wavemobile, and public sector infrastructure body, the Scottish Futures Trust. It is funded by a Scottish Government grant with no cost to the Council.
GoFibre has installed a brand new ultrafast full fibre connection to the centre as a gesture of support to the community of Prestonpans and Wavemobile has contributed their vast knowledge and expertise as the UK’s fifth mobile phone network to develop the technical approach to solve a long-standing problem with service at the centre.
Phase Two will deliver much needed improvements to available Wi-Fi and mobile signals on Prestonpans High Street and around the wider area.
The project follows on from recent East Lothian Council Digital Connectivity projects over the last two years which have brought Superfast fibre-to-premises Broadband to Whittingehame, Bolton, Gifford, Garvald and Morham. These projects have significantly benefitted around 2500 homes and business owners in the county.
Councillor John McMillan, Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment, Economic Development and Tourism said: “Our Economic Development Team has taken a proactive approach to identify areas in East Lothian where connectivity falls short and, more often in very rural areas, they would not normally attract commercial investment to drive forward these improvements. This is where the team’s work, led by Economic Development Officer Billy Agnew, has proved invaluable in attracting alternative solutions and funding to make a tangible difference to residents and business owners.
“We are continually working to make East Lothian the best region in Scotland in which to live, work and do business, and expanding connectivity to even our most rural areas is crucial to achieving this.
“The Prestonpans project continues this great work. While Prestonpans is one of our main towns, residents reported to us that – despite not being in a rural location – there were large sections of the town where mobile connectivity was poor or non-existent. It was great to bring on board and GoFibre and Wavemobile to address this issue for the benefit of the community, businesses and users of the Pennypit Centre.”
Laura Weir, Head of Marketing at GoFibre, said: “GoFibre is proud to provide our lightning-fast full fibre broadband free of charge to the Pennypit Centre, an outstanding community facility serving people in Prestonpans. At GoFibre we are committed to leaving a lasting impact in our communities and we understand how essential getting the fastest and best quality broadband is to keeping communities connected and enabling them to thrive. We look forward to seeing the Pennypit Centre go from strength to strength.”
Keith Matthews, Centre Head at The Pennypit, said: “The installation of WiFi at our community centre marks a vital step forward in bridging the digital divide for our local area. It allows our diverse groups, from young learners to older residents, to better access online resources, connect with others and fully engage with the digital classes and support we provide. This simple connection is opening up new opportunities, learning and community growth where it’s needed most.”
Neil Rutherford, who heads up the Digital Connectivity team at the Scottish Futures Trust, said: “This trial in Prestonpans builds on our expertise of creating innovative solutions to deliver connectivity in many underserved locations across Scotland. Our work is very much about considering new ways of delivering the telecoms infrastructure and mobile signal that communities and businesses regard as vital and is reflected in other groundbreaking initiatives we are currently trialling with satellites on board Orkney ferries and ScotRail trains in the highlands, providing passengers with ultra-fast internet access. We very much look forward to continuing our work with the partners in Prestonpans to see how we can further magnify the impact of digital connectivity for the town.”
Guy Farley, Innovation Specialist at Wavemobile, said: “Wavemobile believes that no community should be unconnected and is proud to be providing 4G coverage to the Pennypit Centre. Our neutral host radios bring the best of all UK operators into the heart of the community, providing internet and the ability to call friends, family and helplines, free of charge. We look forward to supporting the people of Prestonpans in the coming years.”
Meanwhile, a groundbreaking survey of mobile connectivity in East Lothian is currently underway. For the first time, real-time testing of the mobile signal is being measured right across East Lothian in another East Lothian Council-led project.
A state-of-the-art device on loan from Streetwave via the Scottish Government has measured the mobile signal across all of East Lothian. This important survey work is an essential first step on the road to improving the connectivity of the whole region.
This data will help the Scottish Futures Trust and the Scottish Government gain a clearer understanding of mobile coverage at a local level, enhancing the currently published estimates supplied by mobile network operators.
The strength or otherwise of the mobile signal is used to determine where and when masts are built in Scotland by the Scottish Government, and until now this has been determined via estimates supplied by the mobile phone companies.
East Lothian communities have played a vital role in developing these projects. We would welcome further input from residents or business owners who are experiencing any form of issues with Digital Connectivity on mobile or broadband. If you have an issue you need help with, please contact Billy Agnew by email