A new broadband network is launching in North East Fife that, according to the company behind the project, is “different from anything seen before”. The network – known as Credence Broadband – is anchored to delivering “transformational speeds for home and business owners” at the same time as promising to deliver “community and environmental benefits” at a local level.

The unique broadband service – that will be deployed wirelessly from a base station at Drumcarrow, to the west of St Andrews – has been developed by Destination Digital, the company behind the creation and delivery of Scotland and the UK’s only Digital Improvement District, CuparNow.

The research and development work for this network has taken almost four years. Director, Simon Baldwin, says: “We have hundreds of interested parties – the vast majority of whom are operating with download and upload speeds that fall far short of national averages.” He adds: “The need to study or work from home, to access key information for health and social care services – these are essential, especially so for those living in predominantly rural areas.”

The network launches this autumn in a phased approach: those living in or near to …

Balmullo, Craigtoun, Dairsie, Drumoig, Guardbridge,
Kincaple, Leuchars, St Andrews, Strathkinness, Tayport and Wormit
fall into the first phase. 

Simon says: “We have been delighted to work with the Lohoar family at the Drumcarrow Equestrian Centre. Their support has been instrumental in getting us to our launch.” Stephen Lohoar says: “There have been a few hiccups along the way, but we are thrilled to be able to support Credence Broadband – especially so as it will deliver benefits back to our local area.”

Those benefits include the delivery of managed, integrated digital communication that will help to support and promote local businesses, community groups, cultural and tourism initiatives, education and training providers, environmental projects and health and social care partnerships. And on the ‘environmental projects’, Credence Broadband is “leading the way”, working with local landowners to help offset carbon generated by the network.

Simon explains: “Wireless deployment of broadband has a tiny carbon footprint when measured against traditional fibre solutions – and we are excited to be working on a research project to prove that claim.” He adds: “But we are in no way complacent and, unlike any other network, will go further in support of our local area.” Every customer who connects to Credence Broadband will have a tree native to the area planted in their name on land close to Drumcarrow. Simon says: “That tree will help to sequester carbon, more than offsetting our footprint and also contributing to our area’s natural environment – for years to come.”

The technology being used is at the cutting edge of wireless deployment. Simon adds: “Many will be familiar with roads and pavements being dug up, 19th century infrastructure in the form of telegraph poles popping up across the landscape – and thick, black cables being strung between them in the promise to deliver fibre to premises across our area. Our network will be point-to-point using state-of-the-art tech that negates the need for all of that mess. If you can see us, the chances are we can connect you – wirelessly.”

The network is based on a demonstration project that Destination Digital designed and launched in 2021 – to prove the concept of their community broadband service. In north east Fife, Destination Digital will deploy all services as an approved Internet Service Provider in their own right – operating under the Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme. The company are also members of the UK Wireless Internet Service Providers Association and are registered with the Ofcom Ombudsman for customer protection. They are also licensed by Ofcom to deliver the network in north east Fife.

Simon concludes: “This has been a long journey – and we are really only at the start! It has been our long-held belief that broadband – acting as the fourth utility after electricity, gas and water – should be delivered locally, wirelessly and with community-benefit at the heart of the offering. That is exactly what we will be delivering in north east Fife and we hope home and business owners will support us.”

Those interested in discovering more and signing up can visit https://bit.ly/CredenceBroadbandSignUp

 

Feature image: Simon Baldwin (left) is pictured with Stephen Lohoar at the Drumcarrow Equestrian Centre

 

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