Superfast broadband to be rolled out to Aberdeen community

An Aberdeen suburb is set for superfast broadband thanks to a campaign by the community.

Charleston is due to have fibre optic internet by the end of this month, BT has announced.

Cove and Altens Community Council has been vocal in calling for the network upgrade and has welcomed the news.

A petition by the group received 250 signatures and it has been working with Cove, Kincorth and Nigg councillor Stephen Flynn to secure the service.

Community council member Tekena Fubara said: “Cllr Flynn has been doing a great job in keeping communication going with BT and reminding them of the need to keep its earliest target to provide Charleston with superfast broadband by the end of March.

“Although this has been a long, drawn-out event and should have been implemented long before, it is comforting to know that progress is being made.”

Cllr Flynn also conducted his own survey of residents which showed 98% of the 59 people who took part wanted the service to be made available.

Cllr Flynn said: “Securing fibre broadband upgrades for the Charleston development has been one of my key aims since becoming a local councillor and to hear that everything remains on track is fantastic news.

“Obviously, we are still very much in the hands of BT but they have twice now given me a firm commitment that this upgrade will take place in March and I certainly hope that this will be the case.

“Local residents have been crying out for improved broadband speeds and I know they are eagerly awaiting this work taking place.”

A BT spokesman said: “I have checked with the local planner and he advises that the cabinet is still very much in their programme to upgrade by the end of quarter 4 (March), but that he is not able to provide a specific date and this is always subject to change if they hit any issues along the way.

“Our website will be updated when the work is completed and service providers will generally let their customers know when they are ready to take orders.”