Nearly every business and resident in Papa Westray, can now receive faster internet speeds through the Reaching 100% (R100) programme.

The fibre cable is delivered through a second pipe housed within the drinking water network by the contractor CloudNet.

Papa Westray became the first to use this approach successfully because the water system is owned by the community, streamlining the process of gaining permissions and causing less disruption to the island’s roads.

CloudNet Managing Director Greg Whitton said:

“CloudNet are proud to have delivered this Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme project to Papa Westray – the first successful commercial project of its kind in the UK. 

“Due to the island topography, we used the water network to deliver fibre to the premises. This helped minimise excavations and excessive construction costs on the project to meet the programme needs.”

Funded by the Scottish Government using the existing infrastructure was a more efficient and less disruptive alternative to conventional cable laying methods.

Papa Westray became the first to use this approach successfully because the water system is owned by the community, streamlining the process of gaining permissions and causing less disruption to the island’s roads.

Papa Westray Water Board supply engineer Ian Cursiter said:

“Without this high speed connectivity, I wouldn’t be able to remotely monitor my farm or the water network for the island. 

“The real benefit in monitoring the water network for levels of usage, pressure and so on, is providing a much more efficient water system, which will ultimately be more environmentally friendly and cost effective to islanders. 

“I’ve lived in Papa Westray my whole life and I’m delighted to see connectivity that allows the islanders to access the same facilities as those on the mainland.” 

The new broadband network – which allows CloudNet to offer a superfast service – enables, for example, remote monitoring of livestock via CCTV and home healthcare check-ups via video call. It also supports visitor accommodation booking systems and tourism facilities on the island of 90 residents.

Business Minister in the Scottish Government Richard Lochhead said:

“This ingenious approach represents a less disruptive way of delivering faster connectivity to all in Papa Westray. Scotland is famous the world over for its innovation. We are working with rural communities in the most imaginative ways possible to bring faster broadband to some of the hardest to reach parts of the country.

“This project showcases engineering creativity at its best and makes it easier for residents to do business and access essential services such as health and education.

“This will also help attract people to live and work in Papa Westray. Under the £600 million R100 programme, the Scottish Government is helping deliver a fair, green and growing economy for all our regions.”

Remote sensors placed in the water pipe provide a hi-tech way to monitor the island’s water quality.

Contractor CloudNet installed connections using a radio signal from the neighbouring island of Westray, which is then distributed to premises using fibre cabling.

Fiona Grahame