A rural Fife community frustrated at being left without adequate broadband for weeks has taken joint action.
Chance Inn residents and businesses say internet speeds dropped when a new fibre broadband cabinet, which is not yet live, was installed to bring superfast connection.
Hilary Lumsden was cut off completely almost a fortnight ago when she contacted her supplier, BT, to try to upgrade to the faster service and said several others had also been disconnected.
The Rings, which provides holiday accommodation for people with disabilities, has also struggled with fluctuating service.
A joint complaint has been submitted to BT by several people in the hamlet, near Cupar, and North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins has urged the communications firm to rectify the situation urgently.
Hilary said: “A lot of people here work from home and we are reliant on broadband.”
The book editor works with London publishers and said: “It’s embarrassing when you can’t even send an email.”
An Openreach engineer on site was able to reconnect her to copper wire, delivering the same speed she had several years ago.
Hilary said: “At least we have email back but we can’t use it for games, TV or anything like that.
“I have two teenage children, and I’m suffering because I can’t work. All of your life is online now — your car insurance, life insurance, everything.”
Moira Henderson, owner of The Rings, said: “We have had broadband problems for years but at the moment it keeps dropping off.
“We need to take online bookings and payments.”
For some guests, such as those with autism, she said having broadband connection was “essential” to allow them to use apps and devices to manage their conditions.
Mr Gethins said the community had been without broadband for “far too long”.
He said: “I have asked BT to sort this out as a matter of urgency.
“Many people across north east Fife, particularly those living in more rural locations, work from home and good broadband is essential.”
A BT spokesperson said it had arranged to reconnect Hilary’s broadband and booked an engineer to check The Rings’ connection.
He said: “We’re sorry for any inconvenience.
“Once Openreach complete their fibre upgrade work in Chance Inn, BT customers can upgrade to the fastest broadband speeds available.”
An Openreach spokesperson said: “We’ve been working to address a small number of issues raised by residents via their service providers.
“We’d urge anyone else experiencing any issue to speak to their service provider so that it can be investigated.
“We’re in the process of installing high-speed fibre broadband locally and once the new street cabinet is live, residents will be able to check with their service providers if they are able to order the new, faster services.”
