The sacred island of Iona, renowned for its historical significance, is set to receive some of the fastest broadband connections in Europe, despite its modest population of just 170 residents.
Located off the coast of Scotland, Iona is often considered the “birthplace” of Scottish Christianity by historians. This remote island, situated near Mull in the Inner Hebrides, is undergoing a transformation thanks to engineers from Openreach, a subsidiary of British telecom giant BT Group. They are currently working to install full-fibre broadband connectivity on the island.
This cutting-edge broadband service, touted by Openreach as “some of the fastest, most reliable broadband in Europe,” will not only serve the permanent residents but also cater to the more than 100,000 pilgrims and tourists who visit Iona each year.
Iona holds a prominent place in Scottish history as a significant Christian site and as the final resting place for approximately 40 Scottish kings, including Kenneth I, the founder of medieval Scotland, according to Historic Environment Scotland (HES). According to legend, St. Columba established a monastery on Iona in AD 563, thereby marking it as a pivotal center for Christianity in Scotland. The island evolved into an important hub for religion, education, and literacy.
Ensuring Minimal Impact on Historical Heritage
The installation of broadband cables is strategically planned to run along existing historical pathways from the main village of Baile Mòr, carefully navigating a conservation area and avoiding disturbances to three notable historical sites on the island.
Harrie Burney, property manager for the National Trust for Scotland, emphasized that the project is being meticulously scheduled to respect the island’s historical monuments. He stated, “We’re collaborating with the engineers to implement archaeological monitoring to ensure we won’t cause any disturbance, while also potentially uncovering new finds along the way.”
Fraser Rowberry, Openreach’s Chief Engineer, underscored the importance of protecting nearby archaeological sites as the top priority for this broadband project.
Iona is one of forty Scottish islands that will benefit from the Scottish government’s Reaching 100% (R100) contracts, which aim to connect approximately 113,000 homes and businesses to high-speed broadband.
Photo credit & article inspired by: Euronews
