The picturesque Isle of Mull, nestled off Scotland’s west coast, is experiencing a digital transformation as full fibre broadband reaches its shores. This significant upgrade is part of a broader initiative to enhance internet connectivity across Scotland, bringing high-speed internet to remote and rural areas.
Openreach, the company spearheading this broadband revolution, has confirmed that work is now underway on Mull.
The rollout is part of the Scottish Government’s Reaching 100% (R100) program, which aims to provide fast and reliable internet access to all corners of Scotland.
The impact of this upgrade is already being felt on the island, with the first customers on Mull now able to access full fibre broadband services, marking a significant milestone in the island’s digital infrastructure.
This development is particularly noteworthy for areas like Bunessan, which had previously missed out on superfast broadband upgrades.
Planners are are collaborating with the National Trust for Scotland, which looks after the island, Historic Environment Scotland, and other experts on essential evaluations of archaeological and environmental significance before construction begins.
The fiberoptic cables will align with current 19th and 20th-century roads heading north from Baile Mòr’s central village and across the Iona Conservation Area to offer telecommunications connections to agricultural areas in the island’s north, south, and west.
The construction will be in close proximity to three historical sites – Iona Nunnery, Maclean’s Cross, and the renowned Iona Abbey – as well as through regions where there’s a significant chance of finding archaeological artifacts from the Prehistoric, early Medieval, and Medieval eras.
Harrie Burney, property manager for the National Trust for Scotland, said:
“Our aim is to care for, protect, and share this special place for the benefit of everyone. We’re working with the engineers to put archaeological monitoring in place and make sure we’re not going to cause any disturbance, but there’s also an opportunity to uncover new finds along the way.
Connectivity on Iona is a real issue and something that’s very important to the population here. There’s been a real buzz around the connectivity improving, so this project will make a huge difference.”
Scottish Government Business Minister, Richard Lochhead, said: “High quality digital infrastructure is crucial to everyday life, and economic growth – particularly for Scotland’s rural and island communities – which is why we are rapidly accelerating access to full fibre broadband for those who need it most.
More than 40 islands will benefit from the R100 contracts and it’s great to see activity get under way on Iona where there will be 100% coverage. I’d encourage everyone to take up the service when build is complete.”
Openreach aims to make gigabit-capable technology available to 25 million homes and businesses by the end of 2026, including 6.2 million in harder-to-reach, more remote and rural areas.
As Mull embraces this new era of connectivity, its residents and businesses are poised to enjoy the benefits of high-speed internet, bridging the digital divide and opening up new opportunities for growth and development on this beautiful Scottish island.
