BT broadband provider has revealed its plans to deploy 70km fibre optic submarine cable line between Orkney and the Scottish mainland as a part of extending its 21CN programme to the Northern Isles, according to a report.

The ISP has signed a deal with Global Marine Systems which will install the network between Skaill Bay in Orkney to Dunnet Bay near Thurso. The network will co-exist with the current microwave radio links and provide access to 21CN network to the users in the Northern Isles.

Brendan Dick, Director BT, Scotland said:

"This is another major step in the preparatory work we are progressing so that people living in the Northern Isles can share in the benefits that our next-generation network will bring,"

He further said:
"Nearly 60 exchanges in the islands, from the largest to the smallest, will have existing equipment removed and replaced with 21st Century kit.
"And it will be well worth the wait, because every exchange, no matter how remote, will have the same capability as a city centre exchange."

It should be noted that Global Marine has successfully installed a cable network between the UK and Guernsey in the Channel Islands, a couple of months ago. Meanwhile, BT is also set to install new equipment in more than 1000 exchanges in Scotland.