1. Fibre-to-Cabinet (FTTC) via the Green Box
What it is
A cable from your street’s green box (the roadside cabinet) connects to your home over existing phone wires.
What it’s good for
• Everyday web browsing and HD streaming.
• Video calls with a handful of participants.
What to watch out for
• Speeds vary with distance to the cabinet—up to 80 Mbps if you’re close, dropping below 20 Mbps if you’re farther away.
• Outages can spike during heavy rain or wind.
Who provides it
• BT/Openreach (the network owner)
• Resellers: Sky, TalkTalk, Plusnet, Vodafone Broadband
Who it suits
Homes in or near village centres that need reliable, budget-friendly service—and don’t upload huge files every day.
2. Full-Fibre (FTTP) under the R100 Roll-Out
What it is
Fibre-optic cable runs all the way into your house or business premises—no old copper wires involved.
The R100 programme
Scotland’s “Reaching 100 percent” scheme funds full-fibre for rural and hard-to-reach properties. On Mull:
• Bunessan and the Fionnphort exchange area now enjoy gigabit-capable speeds.
• Selected streets in Tobermory have live FTTP, with more due by late 2025.
What it’s good for
• Consistently fast downloads and uploads (100–300 Mbps+).
• Latency under 5 ms—for competitive gaming and glitch-free video conferencing.
Who provides it
• Openreach’s full-fibre arm
• Resellers like NOW Broadband (“Super Fibre”)
Who it suits
Remote workers, online gamers, content creators and anyone uploading large files daily—and anyone who wants the fastest, rock-solid connection.
3. Fixed-Wireless Access (FWA)
What it is
A small dish or antenna on your roof links wirelessly to a mast—no cables in the ground.
What it’s good for
• Speeds between 30–70 Mbps with latency around 20–30 ms.
• Quick installation, usually free with a 12-month contract.
What to watch out for
• Performance can dip in heavy rain or snow.
• You need a clear line-of-sight to the transmitter mast.
Who provides it
• Airband (Argyll region)
• Back of Beyond Broadband (Craine Comms)
• JNC Wireless (around Salen and Fionnphort)
Who it suits
Properties beyond FTTC reach but within sight of a local mast—good for everyday tasks and medium-demand streaming.
4. Mobile Broadband
What it is
A home router uses 4G or 5G mobile networks to deliver internet over the air.
What it’s good for
• Plug-and-play setup—just insert a SIM and go.
• Speeds from 10 Mbps to over 100 Mbps, depending on signal.
What to watch out for
• Data caps or fair-use policies on cheaper plans.
• Variable performance in valleys and sheltered spots.
Who provides it
• EE Home Router (widest coverage)
• Three and Vodafone (strong 5G speeds)
• O2 and MVNOs (4G fallback in quieter areas)
Who it suits
Temporary homes, holiday lets and anyone needing instant internet without a dish or fixed installation.
5. Satellite Internet (Starlink)
What it is
A small dish on your roof talks directly to satellites in low Earth orbit.
What it’s good for
• Uncapped, consistent speeds island-wide—my average is 230 Mbps down and 15–25 Mbps up.
• Latency of 40–60 ms—smooth enough for video calls and casual gaming.
• No phone line required.
What to watch out for
• Upfront kit cost (£299) unless you choose the 12-month contract that waives it. Monthly cost around £75.
• Requires a clear view of the sky—trees or buildings in the way will block the signal.
Who provides it
• Starlink only
Who it suits
Homes and businesses where wired options falter—remote glens, holiday lets off the beaten track, or anyone who wants one bill, one provider, one simple setup.
Balancing Landline Use
Some Mull residents still make regular calls over a traditional phone line—if that’s you, keep your voice subscription. But if you, like me, rely solely on mobiles, you can drop the separate landline rental and simplify your bill. Starlink and mobile-router solutions work entirely without a phone line; FTTC, FTTP and FWA still require it only for the data connection, not voice.
My Recommendation
For most homes and holiday lets on Mull—especially those beyond reliable FTTC or who don’t want long phone-and-broadband contracts—Starlink is the cleanest, most dependable choice. You get ultra-fast, uncapped service everywhere on the island, one simple monthly fee and no hidden extras.
If full-fibre under R100 serves your postcode, that’s your top option: unbeatable speed, minimal lag and no weather-related dropouts. Otherwise, drop your landline rental if you don’t use it for calls, weigh FWA if you can see a mast, or stick with FTTC in village centres where cabinets are close by.
Ready to decide?
- Enter your postcode at https://checker.ofcom.org.uk to see every option at your address.
- Run a quick test at https://www.speedtest.net to record your current speeds.
- Visit Starlink’s site or your chosen provider’s page to compare pricing and contract terms.
Make your pick, update your listing on mulldirectory.co.uk, and help everyone on Mull find the best connection for their home or business.
