AROUND 800 premises in Irvine will benefit from a broadband boost.

Homes and businesses in the town can now access high-speed fibre services as part of a £410million Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme, building on Irvine’s existing fibre broadband network.

But the group are warning that residents need to sign up for the new services with an internet service provider as upgrades are not automatic.

The 800 additional premises in Irvine join around 9,400 across North Ayrshire that can access fibre broadband.

Residents were also able to attend a special drop-in event outside the Trinity Church, where the Digital Scotland team was on hand to get people up to speed with the technology and provide advice on areas such as signing up with a service provider.

Attendees were also able to climb aboard the Digital Scotland Fibre Showcase, a unique vehicle which features all of the equipment used in the roll-out of fibre broadband. 

It includes kit which is familiar to members of the public - like the new green street cabinets - as well as some of the things they don’t often see, such as how fibre-optic cables are ‘blown’ underground.

Councillor Marie Burns, who attended the launch at the Low Green recently, said: “I was pleased to join members of Digital Scotland to welcome the arrival of fibre broadband in the town.

“It’s good to see this project reaching more communities and giving an increasing number of homes and businesses the opportunity to connect to high-speed broadband.

“We’re determined to make sure everyone in North Ayrshire has access to digital services – and the skills and confidence to go online and use them.”

Sara Budge, Programme Director for Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband, said: “It’s exciting news to hear that fibre broadband is available to homes and businesses in Irvine, thanks to the programme.

 “Once signing up with a service provider, there are a number of opportunities that can be had for either your business or home.

 “It was a pleasure to have Councillor Burns joining us in welcoming its arrival.

“Broadband boost forforI also hope that the attendees to our drop-in event enjoyed visiting our fibre showcase and found it insightful hearing about the roll-out of fibre broadband.”