Gigabit broadband switched on for Edinburgh residents

Residents at a waterfront development in Edinburgh are set to benefit from the UK's fastest broadband speeds.

Platinum Point in Newhaven now has the gold standard in broadband speeds. Picture: Dan Phillips

Broadband provider Hyperoptic said its “gigabit” service at the Platinum Point development in Newhaven has now gone live, and promised to invest “millions” in broadband infrastructure across the city over the coming years, connecting “hundreds of thousands” of residents and businesses to its ultrafast network.

National team manager Tim Huxtable said: “There is a huge appetite for our gigabit connectivity, which is over 128 times faster than traditional ASDL speeds.”

Gerry Rooney, chair of the Platinum Point Owners’ Association, said the apartments on the Firth of Forth were now “digitally future-proofed for decades to come”.

The arrival in Edinburgh of Hyperoptic was welcomed by connectivity secretary Fergus Ewing, who said the Scottish Government has committed to providing superfast broadband for the entire country by 2021.

He added: “Commercial investment will play a huge part in delivering this commitment, and I welcome Hyperoptic’s announcement that Edinburgh businesses and residents are now able to benefit from gigabit broadband – the fastest broadband speed available in the UK.”

The Hyperoptic switch-on comes after City of Edinburgh Council signed a ten-year deal with wireless communications specialist intechnologyWiFi, which will be providing free WiFi cover in the city centre in time for the world-famous Hogmanay celebrations.

Natalie Duffield, chief executive of intechnologyWiFi, said: “We are delighted to be working with Unique Events as the official WiFi partner for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.

“We are excited about improving the digital experience at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and look forward to making sure that the city’s amazing festival goes from strength to strength.”

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