Fife towns’ Wi-Fi connectivity is flying ahead of famous cities
Fife towns are flying ahead of two world-famous famous cities when it comes to essential connectivity, with local residents and businesses in Aberdour and Kinghorn set to benefit from the full fibre broadband speeds at their fingertips.
Citing research from the Ookla Speed Test Global Index, Scottish independent broadband provider GoFibre is highlighting the world-beating speeds available on its network in towns or regions across Scotland as it commits to playing its role in bringing the benefits of world class full fibre broadband to communities in more rural areas.
On GoFibre’s network, Aberdour residents get an average speed of 443Mbps, but Adelaide is trailing far behind on just 75Mbps. Meanwhile, Kinghorn residents also enjoy 443Mbps, while Kyoto can’t keep up with its speed of 103Mbps.
With ultra-fast broadband now so essential to our daily lives, GoFibre reckons Adelaide would swap its sunnies for Aberdour’s bonza Wi-Fi, and Kyoto would trade its sushi rolls to scroll like Kinghorn.
In recent years, huge progress has been made to improve broadband connectivity for communities across Scotland. Boosting rural broadband is vital for powering the engine of local economies, opening up new markets for local businesses, making remote work a breeze, and sparking innovation and growth right across the country.
GoFibre has over 1,200 homes and businesses ready to connect to its network in Kinghorn and over 700 in Aberdour.
Neil Conaghan, CEO of GoFibre said: “Our campaign is a bit of fun, but it has a serious message. It's about empowering people and places to realise their full potential.
“These speed comparisons show living in rural or semi-rural areas in Fife doesn’t have to be a disadvantage when towns, such as Aberdour and Kinghorn, are getting better connectivity than two world-famous cities.
“Whether you’re running a business, working from home, studying, getting through your admin or even gaming. It’s time you took advantage of the speeds at your fingertips.
“Anyone in Aberdour or Kinghorn who’s not yet signed up to GoFibre should check if you’re eligible right away and – and relax in the knowledge your broadband is beating Adelaide’s and Kyoto’s.”
One Fife charity benefiting from faster speeds is Kinghorn Community Library. Last year, the library, which is run entirely by local volunteers, became a GoFibre customer. While broadband is essential to its running, previously, the library had experienced outages. Since joining GoFibre’s network, it has experienced greater reliability and speed of connection while seeing its broadband and phone bill cut in half. The money the library has saved on broadband is being used towards its operating costs, purchasing new books, and widening its services.
GoFibre has also supported the library's LEGO Club as part of its social impact work which aims to make a positive, long-term difference for its customers and their communities. The LEGO Club is held monthly on the second Saturday of the month and is for children aged five to 15.
Beth Peat, Chairperson of Kinghorn Community Library, said: “Our library systems run online, so having reliable internet is essential to our library service. The money we’re saving also benefits our patrons through being able to update stock more reliably and to expand the clubs we can provide.
“GoFibre’s donation allowed us to purchase LEGO to get our STEM-based LEGO club running. We’ve had two great sessions, with some very enthusiastic attendees so far, and are looking forward to more.”
GoFibre has grown from its Borders’ beginning to accelerate its rollout of full fibre broadband throughout Scotland and the north of England, having now connected over 120,000 premises.