Broadband boost benefitting historic Scotland island
A transformative broadband upgrade for one of Scotland’s most historic islands is providing major benefits.
The upgrade - delivered by Openreach through the Scottish Government’s £600+ million Reaching 100% (R100) programme - began in late 2024, bringing faster, more reliable broadband to Iona, regarded as the cradle of Christianity in Scotland.
The Iona Village Hall Community Trust was among the first to benefit from the upgrade, with the hall now enjoying download speeds of up to 500 Mbps.
The hall plays a ‘vital’ role in island life, hosting everything from indoor sports and community meetings to film nights, concerts and celebrations.
Gordon Bruce, vice chairperson of Iona Village Hall Community Trust, said: “A fast and stable connection gives us a peace of mind that we didn’t have before. We can be confident that hall users will be able to do whatever they need to online, whether that’s attending online meetings or events, streaming films or, indeed, broadcasting an event. Within the space we’re able to offer multiple WiFi networks and divide the bandwidth fairly between them.”
Rob MacManaway, owner of the Argyll Hotel, said visitors to the island could be ‘in for a shock’ with the poor broadband service before the recent upgrade.
“It’s been a big improvement,” he said. “The booking system is now instantaneous, and updating the website is much easier.”
“Guests no longer mention the broadband—which is exactly what we want. We’re all delighted with the improvements.”
Robert Thorburn, Openreach Partnership Director for Scotland, said: “Bringing Full Fibre to Iona is about more than just faster broadband - it’s about empowering a community with the tools to thrive in a digital world.”
Business and Employment Minister Richard Lochhead said: “It’s rewarding to see how businesses and the community on Iona are benefiting from the full fibre broadband connection delivered through the Scottish Government’s R100 programme by Openreach.
“Reliable, high-speed broadband is essential for modern life. Thanks to R100, we are helping local businesses compete, attract visitors and operate more efficiently. From supporting local enterprises to enhancing community spaces like the Iona village hall, our investment is helping ensure that everyone in Scotland can fully participate in today’s digital world, no matter where they live.”
Full Fibre technology offers a faster, more reliable connection that keeps up with the demands of today’s digital world.
Whether streaming your favourite show, gaming online, making a video call, managing your finances, or running a business, full fibre keeps everything running smoothly.
Openreach’s full fibre network now reaches more than 20 million properties, and the company plans to extend this to 25 million homes and businesses by the end of 2026, with a belief it can reach as many as 30 million by the end of the decade – with the right investment conditions.
People living on Iona can see if they can upgrade to full fibre by visiting Openreach’s full fibre checker.
