R100 subsea deployment

Connecting 15 Scottish islands

During summer 2022, vessels will lay 16 subsea cables connecting 15 Scottish islands to superfast broadband as part of the Scottish Government’s Reaching 100% (R100) North contract.

The 16 subsea cables will help connect 15 Scottish islands:

• Colonsay, Iona and Lismore in Argyll and Bute Council
• Eigg in the Highland Council area
• Eday, Flotta, Hoy, Rousay, Sanday, Shapinsay and Stronsay in Orkney Islands Council
• Fair Isle, Unst, Whalsey and Yell in Shetland Islands Council

All of the R100 North contract build will be gigabit capable – this is more than 30 times faster than the Scottish Government’s original commitment to deliver 30Mbps.

Subsea cable route

The deployment starts in the Shetland islands and works its way south towards the Inner Hebrides.

Please note that the route for the subsea cable deployment is subject to change, and are weather and current dependent.

The three shallow water routes will utilise smaller vessels that operate in shallower water and therefore may be deployed at different points of the schedule.

Vessels trackers

You can track the progress of the vessels that are working on the R100 deployment via the links below. Please note that other vessels may be used and not all vessels may be active at all times. The two main vessels working on R100 are the Normand Clipper and the CS Sovereign.

Normand Clipper

Track the progress of the Normand Clipper during the R100 deployment. Please note that other vessels may be used and not all vessels may be active at all times.

CS Sovereign

Track the progress of the CS Sovereign during the R100 deployment. Please note that other vessels may be used and not all vessels may be active at all times.

Videos

We spoke to Clive, Andy and Paul ahead of the Normand Clipper setting sail for Norway where it was being loaded with 224km of subsea cables. Find out what they had to say about the subsea activity and the R100 programme.

Reaching 100%

Scottish Government’s Reaching 100% (R100) programme ensures that every household and business in Scotland can access superfast broadband - speeds greater than 30 Megabits per second (Mbps).

R100 is being delivered through three stands of activity:

• R100 contracts
• R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme
• Commercial coverage

Digital infrastructure is a key economic enabler and a critical part of our plans for a green and resilient economic recovery from COVID-19.

Have you checked your address?

Find out what R100 means for you by using our address checker.

Keep up to date with progress by following us on Twitter @DigConnectScot.