Over the past week, many of you will have been affected by the major internet outage caused by the break in the subsea fibre cable just off Tiree. We know how difficult this has been, and we want to share an honest update on where things stand.
What’s been done so far
The BT Resilience Team arrived early last week with Starlink satellite equipment and worked hard alongside our local engineer to get key services back online.
Thanks to their efforts, the doctor’s surgery, Bùth a’ Bhaile, and a number of other important locations are now connected. One of their Starlink systems was linked into the Tiree Broadband network, which is now keeping many residents and essential services – including the Co-op – online.
The team left Tiree on Sunday morning, but their work has allowed us to maintain a stable, local connection that is now the island’s main source of broadband access.
Current situation
Tiree Broadband has slowed network speeds to reduce data use and keep the connection stable for as many people as possible (we are currently connecting 160 households). We are prioritising vulnerable residents and essential services while working with Argyll and Bute Council to make sure no one is left without a way to connect.
EE 4G coverage has improved but remains patchy indoors. Vodafone and O2 are still offline, and many homes continue to have limited mobile signal due to thick walls and weather conditions.
The Co-op was brought online on Sunday evening – a huge relief given its role in providing food, fuel, and electricity top-ups.
- An Talla has broadband available for anyone to use
- There is a hotspot outside the Exchange in Scarinish
What happens next
It may take several weeks, or possibly longer, to repair the subsea fibre cable.
BT is now working on longer-term arrangements to keep Tiree connected in the meantime, and the Trust is in regular contact with government, the Council, and BT to ensure that the data needed to run the local network is funded centrally – not by residents.
Our engineer, TCC and volunteers have put in an extraordinary amount of work – including evenings and weekends – to keep the island online, and we’re deeply grateful for their dedication.
How you can help
- Please use the connection carefully – focus on essential use such as email, messages, and banking rather than streaming or large downloads.
- If you know of anyone who might be vulnerable or unable to get online, please let us know at broadband@tireetrust.org.uk
- We’re waiting to see how things settle before deciding whether we can reconnect former or new residential subscribers – please bear with us.
- Updates will continue to be shared through the Trust, Tiree Broadband, and the Community Council as soon as there is confirmed news about repairs or network changes.
A final note
We’re in a much better position than we were a few days ago, but we’re not out of the woods yet.
The local connection is holding, but it remains fragile. Thank you to everyone for your patience, cooperation, and good humour as we continue to work together to keep Tiree connected.
