A MASSIVE broadband project will ensure future generations of Borders schoolchildren, even those in remote rural areas, will have the same access to innovative technology and learning programmes as their Central Belt counterparts.
Pupils will be abl
e to share 'virtual classes' with youngsters, not just in other local schools, but around the world. Links will be lightning-fast and picture quality will be in high definition.
Local authority services will be transformed, according to Scottish Borders Council leader David Parker, with all 120 council offices benefiting from the huge 16-megabit broadband network.
TheSouthern can exclusively reveal that a £32million contract for the so-called South of Scotland Pathfinder Project has been signed by SBC and Dumfries and Galloway Council, bringing a successful conclusion to a two-year procurement process which saw tenders for the work advertised Europe-wide.
In accordance with EU rules, the name of the successful provider is being kept under wraps for two weeks, to give failed bidders the chance to review the contract.
"In terms of connecting our people and boosting services, this is on a par with the railway," enthused Mr Parker this week. "It shows what can be done when councils are prepared to work together."
Work on laying huge fibre-optic cables will begin next spring and be completed over two years.
Mr Parker went on: "This will increase the council's current network capacity by up to 150 times by 2009, greatly improving data-sharing capabilities.
"The broadband links to all our region's schools, which will be connected at a minimum speed of four megabits per second – more than eight times faster than current connections – will be essential in allowing them to take full advantage of the Scottish Schools Digital Network (SSDN]."
Neil Horne, rector of Hawick High School, welcomed the news. "We are a school with high ambitions for our young people: we want to provide them with the best opportunities to fulfil their potential, be successful learners, confident individuals and active citizens, proud of their heritage and place in the world.
"The provision of next-generation broadband services is a key tool in achieving these ambitions."
Alan Hasson, SBC's head of community services, said the benefits extended beyond schools.
Several projects used online facilities, including the library-based Peoples Network, adult training in IT and Online Borders, a community grid for learning.
"To maximise their potential, they require the reliable, high capacity, expandable internet links we can now deliver," said Mr Hasson.
The project will allow the museum service to digitalise its archives and make them available as part of a national online resource. Online booking for arts events and council venues would become the norm.
The investment, funded mainly by the Scottish Executive, will be delivered on a population basis which means infrastructure spend in the Borders will be around £13million.
