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<p style="margin:0;mso-line-height-alt:14.399999999999999px">
From Liam McArthur:</p>
<p style="margin:0;mso-line-height-alt:14.399999999999999px">As I
noted in my email last month, Alastair Carmichael and I will be
holding the latest Orkney Digital Forum at the end of this month
(Friday 27 October).</p>
<p style="margin:0;mso-line-height-alt:14.399999999999999px"> </p>
<p style="margin:0;mso-line-height-alt:14.399999999999999px">Further
to this, I’m pleased to confirm that we will have the following
speakers in attendance:</p>
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<li>
Openreach – Robert Thorburn, Partnership Director for Scotland
and North of England</li>
<li>Scottish Government Digital Directorate – Duncan Nisbet,
Stakeholder Director for Broadband Delivery</li>
<li>Virgin O2 – Paul Mullan, Regional Affairs Manager (North East,
Scotland and Northern Ireland)</li>
<li>Orkney Islands Council – Shona Croy, Strategic Adviser
(Renewables and Connectivity)</li>
</ul>
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The event will run from 12-2pm in the St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall.
Following each of the short presentations, which will cover the
current status of the roll out of broadband and/or mobile phone
coverage in the islands, there will be an opportunity to ask
questions or make observations. Hopefully, there will also be time
towards the end to address any further questions anyone might
have.</p>
<p style="margin:0;mso-line-height-alt:14.399999999999999px"> </p>
<p style="margin:0;mso-line-height-alt:14.399999999999999px">
As noted in my previous email, this event will be in-person only.
I am very aware that this will limit accessibility to the event
for some who are unable to attend in person, and I apologise for
this. Alistair and I did investigate the option of a hybrid event
but could find no way round the problems that arose when we
attempted this last time. As those who were there (physically or
virtually) will recall, the experience was not a positive one for
anyone!</p>
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Needless to say, as in the past, please do let me know if you have
any questions you would wish to submit in advance, which Alistair
and I will make sure are raised at the meeting. Copies of any
presentations will also be shared afterwards, as well as any
specific actions arising from the discussion. Moreover, we have
got agreement from Mr Thorburn and Mr Nisbett to take part in a
subsequent online Forum event, and once we have a date identified
Alistair and I will let you know.</p>
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